5 Noncosmetic Reasons to Replace Your Missing Tooth ASAP

When you lose a tooth, you may not worry too much, dismissing it as a cosmetic issue that only affects your smile. However, missing a tooth does more than change your appearance; it has a domino effect on your oral health, overall well-being, and comfort.

At Solay Dental in Oldsmar, New Port Richey, and Brandon, Florida, Dr. Shiva Soleimani and our team of experienced dentists want to explain why replacing a missing tooth isn’t just about looks; it’s about protecting your oral health, preserving your bite, and preventing future complications. 

1. Protect your other teeth

Unless you wear a retainer every night, your teeth will shift over time. When you lose a tooth, it creates more space for the surrounding teeth to shift. Your moving teeth may weaken the tooth root, making your teeth less stable and more susceptible to further tooth loss. 

Replacing your missing tooth right away prevents the shifting of your teeth and the potential problems that come with it. 

2. Maintain bite alignment

The open space and shifting teeth also affect the alignment of your bite. Bite misalignment may cause uneven wear-and-tear of your teeth or stress on the jaw joint, causing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a chronic pain condition.

Getting the tooth replaced maintains your bite. 

3. Prevent jawbone deterioration

Like your muscles, a good workout keeps your bones strong. Biting and chewing stress the jawbone, triggering bone growth. When you lose a tooth, the bone no longer gets stimulated, leading to jawbone deterioration.

Jawbone loss destabilizes your remaining teeth, increasing the risk of more tooth loss. It also changes facial structure.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that stimulate the jawbone like your natural teeth, preventing bone loss. We affix a dental crown on top of the implant to complete your smile. 

4. Support chewing and digestion

Chewing is the first step in the digestive process, breaking up food into small pieces to make it easier to swallow. It also improves chemical digestion by increasing exposure to saliva and enzymes that break down the food before it reaches your stomach, making it easier to digest.

A replacement crown for your missing tooth supports chewing for better digestion.

5. Reduce the risk of gum disease

Not replacing your missing tooth ASAP puts you at greater risk of developing other oral health problems like gum disease. The open space left by the missing tooth may trap food particles that breed bacteria and plaque. If not brushed away, the plaque hardens into tartar that may irritate and inflame the gums. 

The tartar may then cause your gums to pull away from the teeth, creating more pockets for bacteria to breed, worsening the inflammation and gum disease. 

Filling in the space with a dental implant or dental bridge protects the gums and may lower your risk of gum disease.

It’s about health, not vanity. We can replace your missing tooth and offer a wide range of options that fit many needs and budgets.

Call us today or book an appointment online. Our emergency dental care service can provide the immediate care you need that may prevent future problems or more costly treatments.