There are a number of reasons why individuals may randomly lose a tooth. Whether because of an injury or oral health care issue, losing teeth can lead to serious health issues that not only affect your remaining teeth but also your general health.
Untreated dental disease can also lead to tooth loss, as gums may recede and teeth may loosen from their place.
While it can be tempting to ignore the issue, it’s in your best interest to get a handle on the situation before it spirals out of control. The longer you wait, the harder it can become to fix your smile.
Your McAllen dentist at Heroes Dental is here to explain why you should replace a missing tooth immediately and what the risks are of not doing so.
Avoid Jaw Bone Loss
One of the effects of losing a tooth is the loss of jaw bone. It isn’t uncommon for missing teeth to cause the jaw bone to weaken, and these changes can also cause additional problems over time. One of these issues is that your jaw and lower face may change in appearance.
Keep Your Other Teeth
The loss of jaw bone can spell trouble for your other teeth. As previously mentioned, a lost tooth can lead to a weakened jaw bone, which means less support for your other teeth. Add to this gum loss and it becomes a vicious cycle that can severely affect your oral health.
Seek out support from a dentist in McAllen, TX, to help you avoid needing more extensive procedures down the road.
Your Teeth Won’t Be Straight
If you leave a gap, your other teeth may shift to fill in the space, which can cause an alignment shift to occur. The gap and crooked teeth may make you self-conscious about your smile, but looks aren’t the only concern as missing teeth can affect your bite and speech.
Your Speech Will Be Affected
Your teeth affect pronunciation and your ability to manipulate your mouth to speak correctly. With tooth loss comes the potential for your speech to be negatively affected.
Bite Problems
One change you will notice with a missing tooth is that you may have more trouble chewing. Even if your teeth don’t shift, you have still lost part of your chewing surfaces. If your teeth do shift, you may suddenly find eating difficult. You may need to restrict your diet to softer foods until you can have the issue corrected.
You May Suffer From Serious Health Conditions
Our dental health affects more than just our teeth. The gap from a missing tooth is a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque, which can lead to greater oral health issues.
These pockets of bacteria can migrate into your bloodstream, which can increase your risk of developing conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Your McAllen Dentist at Heroes Dental Is Ready To Help
If you’ve lost teeth, you should seek out the care and support of a dentist in McAllen, TX, immediately. Waiting for too long can mean more problems and costlier procedures to deal with the issue.
Contact our team at Heroes Dental today to learn more about your options and how we can make your smile as gorgeous as it deserves to be.