Why Missing Teeth Are More Than an Aesthetic Concern

If you’re missing a tooth, you may be putting off a solution because you don’t want to deal with it. The problem is, missing teeth can cause many more issues than just an embarrassing picture. Keep reading to find out to watch out for!

Most adults should have 28 teeth in their mouth (32 if they still have their wisdom teeth).

However, data from the National Institutes of Health shows that adults in America have an average of 25.5 teeth, meaning many adults are missing one or more teeth.

This is a problem, and not just because their smiles may have a hole or two. At Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, we advise our patients to replace their missing teeth as soon as possible for more than just aesthetic concerns.

Here are a few of the problems that can occur as a result of missing teeth:

Gum disease

Missing teeth leave space in your gums where bacteria can much more easily gather, especially if they’re attracted by food particles that have become trapped there as well. These additional bacteria increase the risk of gum disease exponentially. The infection can also easily enter your bloodstream, where it can be transported to other areas of the body.

Bone loss

To stay strong and healthy, your jawbone requires stimulation from the roots of your teeth. If a tooth goes missing, that section of your jawbone will no longer have the stimulation it needs, so it will begin to lose density and strength. This bone loss can then give you the sunken facial appearance common among people who are missing many teeth.

Shifting teeth

Your teeth depend on each other for support, so if a tooth is missing, the teeth next to the opening naturally start to lean into the gap. This shifting of your teeth can cause misalignment, leading to problems with your bite and making oral hygiene harder to do well.

Chewing and digestion difficulties

If you’re missing teeth, your ability to chew food will be diminished, which can lead to digestive issues as well.

Loss of confidence

The missing teeth do cause aesthetic issues, which can also lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem. If you don’t feel comfortable smiling for pictures, speaking to others (missing teeth can cause speech difficulties as well), and being in public, your ability to live your life to the fullest will be compromised.

If you’re facing any of these issues due to missing teeth, help is available. Options to restore your teeth include dental implants, dentures, bridges, and more.