How healthy are your teeth? Although many people are quick to underestimate their dental health, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of different elements that play into overall dental wellness. From how often you brush and floss to how regularly you attend regular checkups, it is important to stay in close communication with your dentist, especially if you come down with a new symptom. The purpose of this website is to help people to understand and resolve dental issues, since small symptoms can lead to big problems down the road. Check out these posts to learn more about dental care.
While general dentists do everything possible to save teeth, they still experience situations when they must extract teeth. Getting a tooth extracted leaves you with a missing tooth and a gap to prove it. Are you currently living with a missing tooth? If so, are you interested in replacing it? Replacing missing teeth is a job that a cosmetic dentist can handle, and here are three vital things to know about living with a missing tooth.
Ways That Missing Teeth Harm You
The first thing to understand is that missing teeth can lead to problems in your mouth. One problem you might experience is a loss of jawbone. Did you know that your jawbone depends on your teeth? When you chew with your teeth, it stimulates growth in your jawbone. As a result, your teeth keep your jawbone thick, dense, and strong. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone in this area suffers.
Secondly, a gap between two teeth becomes a trap for gum disease. Gum disease forms in these areas of the mouth due to a lack of tooth structure. When you do not have a tooth in an area where one belongs, you might use this area for chewing your food. If so, you might wear away your gums in this area, leaving you with an infection and other problems.
Missing Teeth Also Cause Embarrassment
The second thing to understand is that missing teeth cause embarrassment. When you smile, is it obvious that you have a gap between your teeth? If you can see the gap when you smile, you might be hesitant to smile. Living with a missing tooth causes embarrassment to most people.
Cosmetic Dentists Can Replace Them
The good news is that you do not have to live without a tooth. You can get it replaced by visiting a cosmetic dentist. The dentist can explain your options and recommend the best option for your situation. One option is to use a dental implant to replace the tooth. The second option is a dental bridge, and the final option is removable partial dentures. All these options work well, but you can choose the one you prefer.
If you are interested in learning more about the oral risks of missing teeth, talk to a cosmetic dentist. You can also ask the dentist about your options for replacing the tooth. To learn more, contact a cosmetic dentistry office like Universal Dental Center.