Posted on 4/11/2022 by Singing River Dentistry Madison
If you've lost a tooth, especially one that isn't visible to people when you talk or smile, you may believe you can get away with not replacing it. Failure to replace a lost tooth can have major medical and psychological effects. The replacement procedure is not as tough as you may believe and will pay off in the long run.
Physical Consequences of Not Replacing
A lost tooth can cause long-term difficulties both within and outside of your mouth. The teeth adjacent to the lost tooth will migrate toward each other over time in an attempt to fill the gap. This results in a problem known as malocclusion, which signifies that the teeth are not correctly aligned. Malocclusion can result in significant issues like as an overbite or crossbite, which put extra pressure on the jaw, difficulties eating, and even an increased risk of tooth decay. The remedy for this broader issue is braces or surgery, which will almost certainly be more expensive than a single tooth replacement. Increased tooth decay will also cause issues with other teeth. Missing teeth might make it difficult to chew your meal properly. Not chewing your food correctly can cause digestive problems such as acid reflux and malnutrition because nutrients are not absorbed effectively in the digestive tract. While it may appear that a back molar concealed from view does not require replacement, keep in mind that those teeth are necessary for effective eating and digesting. Missing teeth can also cause bone loss along the jawline, giving the mouth a drooping look. Because the bone tissue is no longer supported by the tooth, it weakens over time. Denture wearers frequently have sagging faces. While it may be unavoidable for some, you may take action before the sagging begins.
Mental Consequences of Not Replacing
Aside from the physical repercussions, losing teeth can have significant mental ramifications in the short and long term. For better or worse, those with missing teeth are stigmatized in society. Look attentively at characters on TV or in movies who are meant to be impoverished and/or stupid; chances are they have at least one missing teeth. Those pop-culture beliefs permeate reality, especially in an age when almost anything may be expressed on social media. Even the hardest skin will deteriorate with time, just like the space in your mouth left by a missing tooth. Even if you lose a tooth at the age of 50 or 60, you might be living with the stigma and trouble speaking or eating for decades if life expectancy continues to climb. If you have the ability to modify your looks, don't expose yourself to that kind of criticism and self-doubt.
About Us - Madison, AL | Singing River Dentistry Singing River Dentistry is a patient-centered dental practice, devoted to helping patients of all ages improve their oral and overall health. Call us! Singing River Dentistry Madison, 7559 Hwy 72 W, Suite 105, Madison, AL 35758 | 256 - 562 - 4001 | madison.singingriverdentistry.com | 11/28/2024 | Related Terms: dentist Madison AL |
If you've lost a tooth, especially one that isn't visible to people when you talk or smile, you may believe you can get away with not replacing it. Failure to replace a lost tooth can have major medical and psychological effects. The replacement procedure is not as tough as you may believe and will pay off in the long run.