Adults are supposed to have 32 permanent teeth, among which, 4 are wisdom teeth. Many adults have their wisdom teeth either impacted or removed. Therefore, adult mouth comprising 28 teeth is considered quite normal.
Though most adults start off with complete set of teeth, a number of them can lose one or more teeth during their lifetime due to various factors such as age, poor oral hygiene, disease (diabetes, etc), smoking, never getting professional dental care, etc.
Here, the question is; “Are you bothered to replace your lost tooth?”
Majority of individuals usually seek immediate replacement for missing front tooth due to cosmetic concern. However, missing a single back tooth may not be a matter of concern to many individuals. Choosing not to replace a lost tooth should never be an option as it can cause potential problems.
We are here to give you an overview regarding the consequences that can be encountered due to tooth loss, therefore, making timely replacement of lost tooth a wise decision, irrespective of front or back teeth.
- Teeth can become misaligned
A gap is left behind a missing tooth. The teeth around the gap has the tendency to shift toward each other to fill the gap. This shifting of teeth causes misalignment leading to change in your bite and can further complicate the treatment plan for tooth replacement in future.
- Difficulty in speaking clearly and chewing properly
You must already be aware of the fact that missing tooth makes chewing difficult. However, many might be ignorant about its importance in speech. With the lips, tongue, and roof of the mouth, teeth help form words by controlling airflow out of the mouth. Therefore, loss of teeth can impact your ability to speak some words clearly or correctly.
- More prone to gum disease and cavities
The shifting and tilting of teeth surrounding the gap caused by lost teeth can create areas that are difficult to clean, making it easier for plaque to build up. Bacteria in plaque can result in cavities, gum disease, and further tooth loss.
- Your face look older
Along with the jaw bone and facial muscles, teeth play an important role in maintaining the contour of your facial structures. The loss of teeth causes jaw bone to degenerate and facial muscles to droop over time causing your face to sag and look older than you actually are.
- TMJ disorders
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. An improper bite is one among multiple factors causing TMJ disorders. Therefore, replacement of missing tooth should never be neglected.
- Loss in self confidence
Once you lose your front tooth, you lose your confident smile. In addition, missing teeth can make you hesitant to speak as some of your words might not be clear to the listener. The changes in your smile, looks, and speech might take an emotional toll on you.
So, I would like to ask; “Are you ready to replace your lost tooth and get back to healthier mouth and confident smile?”
Contact us at Gulmohar Family Dentistry! We provide different tooth replacement options including dentures and dental implants.
