How Missing Teeth Can Harm You
Posted on: 23 November 2015
If you have lost one or more of your teeth, it's important for you to have them replaced as soon as possible. Putting off having them replaced can lead to other problems with your teeth and gums. You can learn about some of the issues missing teeth can cause in the information provided below:
Aesthetic issues
The most obvious problem that comes with tooth loss is your appearance. Your smile will show a black hole where you once had a tooth. This can be especially obvious if the tooth you are missing is in your smile line. This can affect the way you see yourself and it can affect the way others see you. It can be a big problem if you work in sales, modeling or in another position that has you dealing with the public.
Bone issues
Your teeth serve much more of a purpose than simply to allow you to chew your food. They also work together with the bone in your jaw to maintain a strong bone density around your jaw and mouth area. The bone in this area needs to be stimulated so it knows it is being used for a specific purpose and continues to maintain its strength and shape. Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw.
Gum collapse
When missing teeth cause loss in your jaw bone, your gum tissue will follow. Once your gums start to be affected, it can lead to an array of problems. Your chewing and speaking can be affected. Eventually, it can also lead to a difference in your appearance, even when you have your mouth closed. When your gum begins to sink in, your lips and cheeks won't have the underlying support they need to also maintain their look.
A change in your bite
Changes that take place to your gums can also affect the way the rest of your teeth set against one another. With enough movement, your natural bite will be affected and significant changes can cause other problems, such as uneven wear of your teeth and even frequent headaches.
Now that you understand some of the ways missing teeth can negatively affect you, it may be a good idea to make an appointment with a denturist like one from Northwest Dental Services. Dentures will offer you a non-invasive way to replace your teeth so you don't have to worry about many of the concerns in this article.
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