According to the American Dental Association, the average adult has three or more missing teeth or teeth that have decayed to the point that they should be removed from the mouth. Missing or pulled teeth are more common than you might think, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy issue to live with. There are a number of inconveniences and issues that are caused by missing teeth, which we’ll explore in greater detail in today’s blog.
The Issue With Missing Teeth
Here are some of the issues associated with teeth that are lost due to trauma, tooth decay or poor dental hygiene:
- Inhibited Chewing – Your teeth make chewing possible, so when you’re missing teeth, it’s not as easy to grind up your favorite foods. This can limit your dietary options, and missing tooth locations that are not properly cared for by a dentist can lead to the onset of pain, which can make eating problematic.
- Teeth Shifting – Your teeth help to keep neighboring teeth in the right location, so when you’re missing teeth, the teeth nearest the open space can shift over time. This can eventually lead to painful bite misalignment and an increased risk of tooth decay if shifting teeth makes it harder to hit all surfaces of your pearly whites.
- Speech Problems – Missing teeth can impact the way you speak, which can make you harder to understand and affect your confidence.
- Bone Loss in the Jaw – Believe it or not, missing teeth have been associated with bone loss in the jaw due to joint and muscle atrophy. This can lead to a change in your facial structure, oftentimes making you appear older than you really are.
- Mental Health Suffers – A 2014 study revealed a link between missing teeth and depression and anxiety.
- Loss of Confidence – A study by the American Dental Association found that roughly 1 in 4 people with a missing tooth said they avoided smiling due in part to their missing tooth.
Preventing These Issues
Luckily, even if you lose a tooth due to trauma or tooth decay, there are plenty of options available to you to both restore your confidence and protect against other issues. Common solutions to missing teeth include dental implants, bridges or even dentures.
Your dentist can talk to you about all of the hardware options available to you, but as we always say, prevention is preferred to treatment, so be proactive about protecting your teeth against tooth decay. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, floss regularly, and be sure you’re getting semi-annual checkups and cleanings with your dentist. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, or you want to talk to Dr. Brooks about a tooth issue you’re experiencing, reach out to our clinic today!
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