Did you know that if you have a missing tooth, you have a 20 percent increased risk of losing another tooth in the next five years? Losing your permanent teeth can be devastating. You will find that tooth loss not only affects your daily tooth function, but can also create a catalyst for other dental health problems. Our Milford implant dentists will explain the consequences of ignoring missing teeth and what you can do to prevent them.
Issues with Missing Teeth
The effects of tooth loss may seem small at first. You may have to learn how to eat differently to chew comfortably. You may notice differences in your speech. If you are missing an anterior tooth, or a tooth in the front of your mouth, you may be embarrassed to show a gapped-tooth smile. While all of these are legitimate reasons to replace missing teeth, there are much more dire effects of tooth loss.
How Our Teeth React to Tooth Loss
Each of our teeth serve a specific purpose in our mouths. For instance, larger molars chew and grind down food. Smaller cuspids and bicuspids tear tougher foods and transfer them back to the molars. When one of these teeth are missing, the surrounding teeth will attempt to make up for the loss. This means that teeth will fill in for a role they are not built to serve. This can lead to excessive tooth wear, enamel erosion, and even teeth drifting.
Replace Missing Teeth
When teeth drift out of place, this can cause numerous other dental health problems. Malocclusion, or misaligned bite, can lead to teeth grinding, TMJ disorder, and a host of other issues. Avoiding these oral health problems requires proactive restorative dentistry. Stay tuned next week to learn how dental implants can replace missing teeth and prevent the catalyst of major oral health issues.
Dental Implants in Milford
If you are suffering with missing teeth, Sensitive Care Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offers dental implants. Whether you are missing a single tooth, or an entire arch, we can place and restore your implants in our office. No need to visit multiple specialists. Contact our Milford dental office today for a dental implant consultation at (203) 878-6699.