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What Happens If You Don't Replace a Missing Tooth?
So much of our confidence comes from our smiles. When we feel bad about our teeth, it can have a huge impact on our happiness – as it takes away our smile, a physical sign of some pretty cool chemical dances our brains do to release endorphins. Whether you are suffering from tooth loss as a result of recent trauma, poor dental hygiene, age, genetics, or lifestyle habits such as tobacco use – making sure to replace your lost teeth with an implant or dentures can make a huge difference, and we aren’t just talking about your confidence.
How People Lose Teeth
According to a recent study, nearly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth! If you are included in one of these numbers, just know you are not alone. There are a lot of reasons why people lose their teeth: the number one being gum disease (accounting for 70% of all tooth losses). In addition, people lose their teeth due to trauma (such as falling or getting hit with an object), age, and genetics.
What Happens If a Missing Tooth Is Not Replaced?
Many people who lose their teeth, especially those who are elderly or financially strained, choose not to replace their missing teeth. They may be afraid of pain or the expense, or maybe they just don’t care. At Mile High Dental & Implant Centers, we can tell you from experience that not replacing your teeth can do more than just make it difficult to eat corn on the cob. Here are a few things to consider:
Bone Loss
When you lose a tooth, your jawbone begins the quick process of resorption – a condition that reallocates bone density to other areas of your body from your jaw. This happens as quickly as six months after a tooth is lost. Over time, your jawbone can be lost, disfiguring your face and making your quality of life diminish.
Function Loss
Without teeth, you will find it difficult to do daily things that once were never even a thought. Drinking from a straw, chewing, speaking – all of these things will be negatively impacted. Depending on how many teeth are lost and the reason behind it, you may not be able to eat solids, period.
Overgrowth and Uneven Bite
When a tooth is lost, the other teeth in your mouth will try to compensate. If a bottom tooth is lost, a top tooth may grow longer to fill in the gap. Likewise, if a tooth is lost, teeth on the same row may shift to fill in the gaps. This causes uneven bites and can impact tooth and jaw health in the future. Just like with bone loss, you may see negative effects with eating, drinking, and speaking.
Poor Smile
There are some people who may not care about the aesthetics of their smile, even with a missing tooth. For most people, however, not having a confident smile can cause a lot of damage – to their mental health. We never want anyone who gets a dental implant or dentures to think it is because of vanity. As listed above, not replacing teeth can cause a lot of health issues – but having a beautiful smile doesn’t hurt either!
A Team Committed to Solutions
At Mile High Dental & Implant Centers – we get it. Not only can a dental implant sound painful (which, with new technology and a trusted team of dental professionals is not accurate anymore), the financial burden can seem overwhelming.
Thankfully, we are a trusted team in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas that can help you find the right solution – both for replacing your teeth and staying on a budget. We make sure to provide upfront costs and financing options for all of our patients. If you have missing teeth or are experiencing periodontal disease, please consult with our dentists today. You deserve the confidence and function of a beautiful, healthy smile.
Contact Us Today to learn more and Schedule your Appointment.