What’s So Bad About Missing a Tooth or Two?

Having a few missing teeth might not seem like such a big deal, right now. As long as they aren’t front teeth, who else would notice, right?

But dental experts in Dunwoody caution that it’s not just looks you should be worried about.

Tooth Alignment Problems

Teeth are always on the move. They naturally keep trying to grow and move forward in the mouth until they’re stopped by another tooth. A gap in your smile provides an empty space that other teeth just have to fill. The opposing tooth may grow abnormally “long” to fill the gap, or teeth behind the space may tip forward out of healthy alignment.

Food Impaction

Gums don’t work as well as teeth when it comes to chewing food. You might be apt to injure your gums in an empty space if crunchy food pinches down on it.

That gap is also likely to pack food and bacterial debris around the teeth on either side of it. It’s easier to get things like popcorn shells, seeds, and meat trapped in the gums if there isn’t a tooth there.

Jawbone Resorption

Tooth roots stimulate bone tissue and keep it strong. When a tooth goes missing, the bone can gradually weaken and dissolve. This creates saddle-shaped gums in the gap, and makes the missing tooth a lot more obvious than it was before.

You’ve got multiple options for replacing lost teeth and restoring your smile. These range from partial dentures to crown and bridge units to dental implants. Schedule a checkup at Dunwoody Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to find out which treatment is right for your smile and your overall health.