Missing a tooth can take a toll on your self-confidence, especially if it’s at the front of your mouth. What you may not realize, however, is that missing a tooth can affect more than just your smile. At Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we treat many patients who have missing teeth. In this blog, we shed some light on how missing a tooth can be detrimental to your oral and overall health.
How can missing a tooth affect your health?
Missing a tooth can have a detrimental impact on your entire mouth. Some of the oral health issues this can cause include:
Shifting teeth
Even though your teeth are firmly planted in your jaw, they can shift out of place. If you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift into the place of the missing tooth, which can lead to gum disease and an improper bite.
Bone loss in your jaw
Teeth play a critical role in supporting and stimulating your jaw bone. Missing a tooth can cause your jaw to become unstimulated in that area of your mouth, which can lead to bone decay.
Speech issues
Your teeth assist you in pronouncing certain words. Missing a tooth can make it difficult to pronounce words correctly.
Bite irregularities
A missing tooth can cause bite irregularities. This can lead to an assortment of issues, including tooth decay, headaches, neck pain, and pain in your jaw muscles.
Gum disease
Missing a tooth will greatly increase your chances of developing gum disease. The space in your gums that is missing the tooth will be far more susceptible to disease, because it will be easier for bacteria to grow there.
If you’re suffering from a missing tooth and want to learn about the options available to help fix the problem, such as dental implants or dentures, book an appointment online or over the phone with Skyview Dentistry today. We’ll give you a thorough exam and get you on the path to better oral health.