If you’ve lost a few teeth in your time and are beginning to wonder whether it’s really worth getting them replaced, then this article is for you. Your teeth aren’t lone wolves, they’re all part of a cohesive group working together to maintain the structure and integrity of your mouth. Even the loss of a single tooth has ramifications that affect every tooth in your mouth, and it’s important that you’re aware of these consequences while you’re considering replacing your teeth. We’ll be discussing why replacing your teeth can be one of the most important things you do for your long term health.
We All Stand Together: What Happens When A Tooth Falls
When you lose a tooth you’re probably very aware of the newly created gap in your teeth. Whether it’s front and center where it’s clearly visible or hidden in the back where you’re the only one aware of it, the first week or two of a missing tooth is going to involve you tonguing that space incessantly. What you may not be aware of is what’s going to happen over the long term now that that space is empty. It’s going to start with you adjusting your chewing habits to compensate, which will result in additional wear and tear on the other teeth. As you do this stress on the remaining teeth, especially those adjacent to the hole, is going to result in them drifting out of position. As they drift, the others lose support, and the whole assortment starts to be affected.
The Line Is Broken: It Doesn’t End With Your Teeth Shifting
From that point forward your teeth are going to begin a slow migration and shifting out of alignment that may be more or less noticeable depending on your case. The ramifications of this are far-reaching, however, starting with it being more difficult to brush your teeth now that they’re not all lined up neatly in a row. Gum disease and tooth decay start becoming more common after the loss of the first tooth as there are more gaps and crevices between the misaligned teeth where plaque can hide. Additionally, the shifting of these teeth can alter the shape of your face, the sound of your voice, and lead to complications with your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. This joint is where your lower jaw connects to your jaw, and once the teeth are out of alignment it can start to experience problems.
These are just the beginning of the reasons why tooth replacement is important. Additional issues come in the form of a gum line that starts receding and a jawbone that deteriorates without having the need to hold a tooth in place. If you have more concerns about replacing your teeth pick up the phone and call Dr. Bob Dokhanchi at the Fox Valley Dental Center in Aurora IL today. Their team will help do an evaluation and consultation that will let you know how far your situation as advanced and what restoration options are a reality for you.
