What Happens if you Don’t Replace Missing Teeth
When is tooth is lost or extracted, the primary concern most people have is how it will impact their smile and appearance. Although negative cosmetic consequences are a factor, a lost tooth can also have a wide-ranging impact on the patient’s overall oral health. Additionally, the longer a person puts off replacing a missing tooth, the worse these problems may become.
This article will examine the potential risks attributed to not replacing lost teeth.
Risk of Infection Increases
Because it leads to gum tissue deterioration, periodontal (gum) disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss. In addition, the odds of bacterial infections and gum disease can actually rise once a tooth is lost. Several factors lead to increased bacterial activity following the loss of a tooth which can further contribute to the deterioration of periodontal tissue and additional tooth loss.
The empty socket that remains after a tooth is lost is an example of one such factor. Food particles and bacteria can easily accumulate in the socket, penetrating the periodontal tissue, and be difficult to access with regular brushing. A lost tooth also leaves exposed the roots of adjacent teeth which heightens their risk of bacterial infections.
An empty dental socket also creates a point of access for bacteria to permeate the bloodstream through the blood vessels at the bottom of the socket. If bacteria enter the bloodstream, health risks for other areas of the body are created, including heart disease, heart valve inflammation, and lung disease.
Causes Misalignment of Other Teeth
The teeth exert constant pressure on the surrounding adjacent teeth. Because of this, all the teeth rely on each other for support to remain firmly in the gums. When one or more teeth are lost, the surrounding teeth can shift inward to the gap that was left.
Should a person put off replacing a lost tooth for too long, it could cause the adjacent teeth to shift so much that it creates crowding issues. If the teeth shift sufficiently to contact each other, it can cause discomfort. It can also leave the space between the teeth and gums to be so small that cleaning bacteria will be more difficult.
Jawbone and Gum Deterioration
The jawbone and gums play vital roles in helping the tooth roots to remain anchored in place. People may be unaware that the teeth also play a vital role in the health of the bones and gums. The presence of tooth roots in these tissues provide stimulation that in turn, cause the body to continuously repair damaged cells.
Lacking this stimulation, portions of the jawbone and gums can be reabsorbed gradually by the body. This both accelerates the process of tooth loss and creates changes to facial structures. If loss occurs in the upper jaw, an inward curve is created that is often referred to as facial collapse. When deterioration occurs in the lower jawbone, diminishment of the jawline and chin recession results.
To reduce the odds of any of these from happening, patients are advised to replace a lost tooth as quickly as possible. Failing to do so, can worsen oral conditions and require costly repairs in the future.