Even though teeth are strong, it is easy to lose one. You could be playing frisbee with your friends and fall on your face. The next thing you know, you are holding your tooth in your palm. Thankfully, it is easy to restore teeth as well. There are various options in midtown east cosmetic and restorative dentistry, such as implants, dentures, and crowns.
Losing a tooth can be embarrassing, but the issues go beyond the cosmetic spectrum. With one or more missing teeth, you may experience difficulting chewing and speaking. Besides that, you could experience more severe medical and dental complications. Knowing the consequences of a missing tooth is important to maintain overall well-being.
What are the consequences of a missing tooth?
You might think a missing tooth has no consequences besides aesthetic ones, but you may be wrong. The reality is far different. Missing teeth can cause emotional and physical health complications.
One of the worst complications of a missing tooth is that you might keep losing more. Losing one tooth causes the nearby teeth to move as they are no longer supported by their neighboring tooth. Your alignment can change, and you may notice crookedness in your mouth.
Besides your alignment, your gums and jawbone suffer as well. Not replacing a missing tooth increases the risk of gum disease and loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Losing bone tissue can change the appearance of your face and make it look unattractive.
Finally, living with one or more missing teeth can be tricky. For example, you may find biting down and chewing your food challenging. You may experience pain and bleeding when you chew, especially hard food items. Not chewing your food properly can further cause other health complications.
How soon after losing your tooth should you replace it?
It is recommended to book a dental appointment as soon as you can after you lose a tooth in an accident. The later you get it done, the worse your condition may become. Many dentists accept emergency appointments where you do not need to make an appointment in advance.
Depending on your condition, health issues, budget, and preference, your dentist may recommend implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures. The most popular treatment to replace a single missing tooth is a dental implant. An artificial and natural-looking tooth replaces the missing spot and helps hold the other teeth in place.
Dental implants do not only look natural but function and feel real as well. If you have a missing, consult with a dentist and discuss your treatment options today.
