For adults and the elderly, missing teeth can be a common issue.  It can be brought on by trauma, accidents, untreated dental conditions, congenital conditions, or dental cavities. One out of 20 adults suffers from this, which affects their lifestyle and overall health. We all know mature teeth can’t grow on their own and, hence, need medical and professional treatment. This common problem is often left untreated and ignored. However, if you have one or more missing teeth, you may face numerous problems besides eating and chewing your food comfortably.

If you recently had a tooth extracted and are considering a dental implant or bridge to replace your lost tooth, you should speak with a qualified dental specialist to find out which option is best suited for you. You can visit a nearby dental clinic or dental practice in Weston, MA that has years of experience in such treatments.

Should I Leave the Missing Tooth Space Empty?

The first thing that might pop into your head after getting your tooth removed is whether to leave that empty tooth space for a while or not. While that may seem fine for a short period, it can soon escalate into a much more complicated situation, leading to more teeth, jaw problems, and self-esteem issues. Missing teeth might make your smile appear uneven or embarrass you in front of your social circle. It can affect your eating habits, as you won’t be able to chew your food properly, which can result in bodily health issues.

If you leave your missing tooth space empty for a longer period of time, the surrounding teeth can shift and wear down due to excessive pressure from chewing and biting. It’s totally up to you whether you want to face multiple problems down the road or address them as soon as possible with a dental implant treatment.

Key Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Missing Tooth:

1. Self-confidence: Your smile is the first thing people notice, but if you have several gaps between your teeth or a missing tooth, you might feel awkward laughing in front of them. You may try to cover your smile with your hand to shield the gaps. It can significantly impact your self-esteem, as appearance does matter.

2. Other Teeth Get Churned: Each of your teeth has a different role: some break down food, others are used for biting, and some for talking. When you get one or more teeth removed, the balance between the teeth is disrupted. The front or back teeth might become overworked due to handling the bite pressure, which can cause them to wear out or break over time. They may shift and bend to different positions than normal, causing more dental problems.

3. Bone Structure: When you have multiple gaps between your teeth, your gums and jawbone are no longer stimulated. It causes the jawbone and gums to shrink, pulling together the muscles. It may cause structural changes to your face, giving the appearance of hollow, lifeless, and sagging cheekbones. Furthermore, it increases the risk of tooth loss.

4. Can’t Enjoy a Varied Diet: After tooth removal, you might change your entire diet with primarily soft food items like smoothies, drinks, boiled rice, and vegetables. You may limit eating hard and coarse foods that require effective chewing, such as coconut bites, apples, and other crunchy vegetables.

5. Long-term Solution: Both adults and kids often fear dentists and may experience anxiety. That doesn’t mean you should ignore your dental problems. You can replace your missing teeth with treatments like partial dentures and dental implants, which have a high probability of success and can last longer.