What is the Problem with Missing Teeth?

Missing teeth are a common issue among adults. Teeth can be lost because of tooth decay, gum disease, injuries, or other oral health problems, sometimes even with good oral hygiene practices. When a tooth is lost, many people first think about the cosmetic impact, but the effects go beyond appearance alone. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, read on to learn more about the issues it can cause.

Missing Teeth Impact the Jawbone

One of the biggest impacts of missing teeth is on the jawbone. The roots of natural teeth help keep the jawbone strong. Every time a person bites or chews, pressure travels through the tooth roots and stimulates the bone around them. When a tooth is missing, that area of the jaw no longer receives the same amount of stimulation. Over time, the body may begin to break down and absorb some of the unused bone.

The longer the tooth remains missing, the more bone may be lost in that area. This can make future tooth replacement more difficult, but it can also cause substantial changes in a person’s facial structures, usually bringing the chin closer to the nose as the bones shrink and the remaining teeth are pushed deeper into the bone or flared out by the forces of the bite.

Missing Teeth Impact the Teeth Around Them

Teeth help keep one another in place and work together to support the force of the facial muscles. When one tooth is removed, the teeth on either side of the gap may begin to lean or shift toward the empty space, and must accommodate all extra load. The tooth above or below the gap may also move because it no longer has another tooth to meet when biting. These movements can lead to crooked teeth, uneven spacing, changes in the bite, and increased wear on the remaining teeth. This usually makes successfully caring for the remaining teeth more challenging.

Missing Teeth Impact Chewing

Missing teeth can make chewing less effective, especially when molars are lost. A person with missing teeth may be forced to chew mostly on the opposite side of the mouth. Like when half the team doesnt come in for work, whoever is there must work much harder to pick up the slack, This puts extra pressure on the remaining teeth and can cause them to wear down faster. When several teeth are missing, some foods may become difficult or uncomfortable to eat. This tends to cause people to choose certain foods and avoid others, which limits the overall diet and health.

Missing Teeth Impact a Person’s Bite

As the teeth shift from the missing teeth, the upper and lower teeth may stop fitting together properly. This can create an uneven bite, which may place too much pressure on certain teeth. Over time, this can contribute to worn enamel, cracked teeth, sensitivity, and joint discomfort. The teeth and jaw joints are like a three legged table, two of the legs are the joints up by your ears, the third leg is the teeth. If you’ve ever sat at a wobbly table you can appreciate how if one leg is uneven, the other legs can receive significant impacts as a result of the wobble.

What Is the Bottom Line?

Missing teeth affect more than the appearance of a smile. They can lead to bone loss, shifting teeth, bite problems, and difficulty chewing, and difficulty maintaining your teeth and joints. There are many ways to replace missing teeth, including bridges, dental implants, partial dentures, full dentures, and full implant bridges. The right option depends on the number of missing teeth, the health of the gums and jawbone, and the person’s treatment goals, and their desired health and lifestyle. If you have a missing tooth, speak with your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more issues will arise. Your dentist can examine the area, explain what changes have already occurred, and help you decide which replacement option is right for your situation.

Related Article: Can You Get Veneers With Missing Teeth?