Why Missing Teeth Should Be Replaced
Missing Teeth is a fairly common occurrence, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. In the U.S., 30% of adults between 65-74 years old have no natural teeth. 178 million adults in the US have one or more missing teeth.
Missing teeth might seem like a minor inconvenience, but the truth is, ignoring them can have significant consequences for your oral health, overall well-being, and even confidence.
Missing Tooth
You need to replace missing teeth. Here’s why:
Reason #1 - Oral Hygiene
Tooth Decay: Missing tooth leads to empty spaces. This acts as a magnet for food debris and bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and even bone loss in the jaw.
Shifting Teeth: Missing tooth opens up spaces for nearby teeth to shift. Nearby teeth tend to tilt or drift towards the gap, disrupting your bite and leading to further problems like misalignment and pain.
Bone Loss: Without teeth, your jawbone starts to shrink. This makes future implant placement and overall facial support more challenging.
Missing Tooth leading to Shifting Teeth
Reason #2 - Functional Impact
Chewing Difficulty: Missing teeth, especially molars, make chewing certain foods painful and inefficient, impacting your nutrition and digestion.
Speech Impediment: Without one or more teeth, certain sounds become difficult to pronounce with gaps, lowering clarity in speech, and worsening overall communication
Facial Collapse: As the jawbone shrinks due to missing teeth, your facial muscles lose support, leading to sagging and premature aging.
Facial Sagging from tooth loss and (later) bone loss
Reason #3 - Psychological and Social Wellbeing
Lower Self-Esteem: Missing teeth makes you self-conscious and is a source of embarrassment. This limits social engagement and impacts your overall confidence.
Difficulty Smiling Freely: With missing teeth, you try to hide tour smile. This prevents you from expressing your joy and being yourself.
Job Opportunities: In some jobs (e.g. sales, customer service, retail), a smile is crucial to making a good first impression and engaging your customers. Lack of freedom to smile could hurt your career prospects.
Poor Smile Quality due to Missing Tooth
“Remember to smile.”
Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern. Replacing them is an investment in your oral health, overall well-being, and confidence.
Talk to Dr Jere, your Prosthodontist at Seattle Oral Care, about the best options for your situation and reclaim the full functionality and beauty of your smile.
