What happens when you leave missing teeth untreated?
Losing a tooth, due to cavities, gum disease or even trauma, might feel like a discreet matter-particularly if it occurs at the back of your mouth. However, our mouths function much more like a meticulously orchestrated team than just a set of independent players.
When a player drops out, a subtle yet potentially damaging domino effect occurs over time.
Left unaddressed, this missing tooth space doesn’t just affect your smile and your confidence – it actually causes an array of biological changes to your oral structures, face shape and, later, to your overall health. Here are just a few of the dominoes that fall:
- Your teeth move and your bite gets out of sync
When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth no longer have their partner to rely on. Typically, they’ll lean in towards the newly created gap, which causes teeth to shift in your mouth.
Your opposing tooth may also begin to “over-erupt,” or elongate, pushing down into your gum line in an attempt to reach something to connect with.
All of these shifting and growing can result in an unbalanced bite. The ability to speak might be hindered, you may notice uneven wear patterns on your other teeth and the muscles in your jaw may become strained, which often leads to jaw joint problems and associated symptoms, such as a clicking jaw, headaches and jaw tension.
- Silent jawbone loss begins
One often unmentioned fact about our jawbone is that it receives constant stimulation during chewing, which is the key to its density. Once the stimulation stops due to a lost tooth root, the bone no longer has anything to anchor against. It begins to break down – a process called bone resorption.
It’s possible for your jaw to lose 25% of its width in as little as one year.
The weakened bone makes remaining teeth less stable and can cause your facial features to collapse or change over time. It’s also a significant contributing factor in how your mouth supports your overall bite and function, which in turn greatly accelerates the facial aging process, resulting in a sunken-in appearance, especially around the cheeks, and a sagging jawline.
- Your chances of decay and gum disease rise
It is remarkably challenging to keep crooked or shifted teeth clean.
The spaces they create in your mouth become difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss and soon start collecting food particles and plaque.
Before you know it, you are at risk for both cavities on neighbouring teeth and the painful development of gum disease (periodontitis). Untreated periodontitis can spread to the bloodstream and is associated with other systemic issues such as cardiovascular disease.
- Digestion and nutrition suffer
When you lose a number of teeth, particularly the ones responsible for chewing tougher foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and meat, your body tends to naturally shy away from these essential dietary items. This shift away from a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet can lead to a host of problems including indigestion, acid reflux, and even dietary deficiencies over time.
Don’t let a missing tooth diminish your quality of life or your confidence.
Our dental practice in Chester, Art of Dental Care, offers a wide range of long-term solutions, including dental implants, bridges, and custom-made dentures that can restore the form and function of your smile.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.