Missing teeth are not just a cosmetic concern; they can have a significant impact on your overall oral health and quality of life. Teeth work together to perform various functions, such as biting, chewing, and speaking, and when one or more are missing, it can lead to a range of problems that extend beyond just the appearance of your smile.
According to statistics, about 35 million people are missing teeth in one or both jaws. Gaps between your teeth can affect your smile, self-confidence, and the way you interact with others. You may find yourself unconsciously covering your mouth or avoiding smiling and talking whenever possible, which can have a negative impact on your social interactions and overall well-being.
Several issues can arise from missing teeth, including:
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Difficulties in Eating
When you have missing teeth, eating can become a challenge. Gaps between your teeth allow adjacent teeth to drift into the empty spaces, causing bite alignment problems, jaw stress, and irregular wear on the remaining teeth. This can make it difficult to bite and chew properly, leading to digestive issues and even malnutrition.
Nutritious foods like raw fruits and vegetables can be particularly difficult to bite or chew, leading to compromised nutrition. Additionally, when teeth drift, cleaning out food debris becomes more difficult, encouraging bacterial growth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. This can lead to further tooth loss and a cycle of oral health problems.
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Bone Loss
Tooth loss and bone loss are directly related. When you have missing teeth, the bone in your jaw that once supported them begins to deteriorate. This is because the stimulation from the teeth’s roots is no longer present, signaling the body to reabsorb the bone. The longer your teeth are missing, the greater the bone loss.
This is important for two reasons. First, your teeth and supporting bones help maintain your facial structure. When the lips and cheeks lose support, your face can take on a collapsed, aged appearance, making you look older than you are. Second, significant bone loss can make it more challenging and costly to replace missing teeth with dental implants, as there may not be enough bone to support them.
What You Can Do
Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, dental implants offer a natural-looking and functional solution. Implants are metal frames that act as a root replacement, positioned in the jawbone beneath the gums to support a crown. They are designed to fuse with the bone, creating a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth.
Dental implants mimic natural teeth and are the only tooth replacement method that can stop bone loss. Made of titanium, they have the unique ability to fuse with the jawbone, providing a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Implants give bridges and dentures a stable base, making them feel more natural when speaking or eating. They also help to maintain the bone structure in your jaw, preventing the sunken appearance that can occur with missing teeth.
Research shows that dental implants have a success rate of over 95% and offer the best long-term solution for tooth replacement. They are durable, long-lasting, and require no special care beyond regular brushing and flossing.
Bottom Line
If you’re dealing with missing teeth, the team at Bayswater Dentist can help. Our experienced professionals offer a range of tooth replacement options, including dental implants, to restore your smile and improve your oral health. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure that your implants look and feel like your natural teeth, giving you the confidence to smile, speak, and eat with ease.
Don’t let missing teeth hold you back any longer. Make an appointment today to learn how we can help you regain your confidence and enhance your quality of life. At Bayswater Dentist, we are committed to providing personalized, high-quality care to help you achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful, functional smile.