Many view missing teeth as a cosmetic problem that only causes psychological issues such as lower self-esteem.

However, missing teeth pose a much greater risk than just not giving off the best possible smile, although that is a serious concern as well. Along with the cosmetic reasons, there are various other reasons why replacing missing teeth is vital.

Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth

Anyone suffering from missing teeth knows how annoying it can be. While it is possible to only get used to a missing tooth and not worry about it, it is important to replace any missing teeth to avoid other issues from developing.

The following are three reasons why it is crucial to replace missing teeth.

Oral hygiene may suffer

First and foremost, missing teeth can lead to poor oral hygiene, regardless of how much precaution is taken to avoid bad dental health.

After losing a tooth – or several teeth – it can become much more difficult to reach certain areas while brushing, especially if the teeth begin to shift as a result of the missing teeth. Subsequently, bacteria tends to develop in hard to reach areas if missing teeth are not replaced. In other instances, some neglect to brush the gum area where a tooth is missing, and the gums are in general more susceptible to bacteria, which leads to an increased risk of gum disease.

To ensure good oral hygiene, it is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible.

May become more difficult for the mouth to function

Perhaps the most obvious reason replacing missing teeth is essential is the fact that it becomes much more difficult to function in everyday life.

With missing teeth, everything that we rely on the mouth for throughout the day – including eating, drinking and talking – become more challenging, and missing teeth can even alter the way we carry out our daily routine. When eating, many are forced to avoid certain foods or only chew with one side of the mouth, which can be incredibly frustrating. In some cases, missing teeth can alter speech and make it harder to talk fluently.

Fortunately, however, all of the functions of the mouth can be made effortless once again by replacing any missing teeth there may be through restorative dental operations, such as dentures, implants or bridges.

Missing teeth can lead to shifting

Missing teeth can also lead to the teeth that are still healthy beginning to change to try and fill the empty gaps. Unfortunately, in most instances, teeth that shift as an attempt to fill a gap do not shift properly.

In many cases, the shifting teeth can lead to crowding inside the mouth, crooked teeth or angled teeth. When teeth shift improperly, they may be suspect to more pressure while eating, which can cause them to become loose and fall out as well.

To ensure that teeth do not shift to fill the gap left by missing teeth, consider discussing teeth replacement options with your dentist.