Missing teeth: What happens when you don’t replace your teeth?
23/8/2024
Many people with missing teeth will choose to simply live without them. Often, these patients think that a ‘do nothing’ approach will save them money and reduce their risk of complications. But here’s the thing: If you choose *not* to replace your missing teeth, this can lead to a number of detrimental (and costly) implications in future.
Missing teeth can mean a lot more than just a few gaps in your smile. Not only does tooth loss affect the appearance and function of your teeth, but it can also take a major toll on your overall health and emotional wellbeing. While teeth replacement options like dental implants or All-on-4 may be expensive, it’s important to consider the ‘cost’ of tooth loss beyond the financial. Let’s explore the biological, psychological and social impact of missing teeth.
Your speech may change
Did you know your teeth play a key role in how you speak? Speaking can become especially challenging if you’re missing front teeth, as you’ll struggle to pronounce certain words or make certain sounds like “th” or “s”. This can impact your verbal ability and confidence when speaking.
You may struggle to eat and chew
Your teeth, tongue, lips and jaw muscles work together to help you eat and chew. So, whether you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, this may impact your ability to eat. You may find it difficult or uncomfortable to chew, especially on foods that are hard, crunchy or tough. You may also start chewing on only one side of your mouth to compensate for the missing tooth. Not only will this impact your jaw muscles, but it will also lead to uneven wear and tear on your teeth. Some research also suggests that poor chewing function may be associated with poor overall health due to the impact of chewing ability on your diet.
When you’re missing teeth, you may find it difficult or uncomfortable to chew, especially on foods that are hard, crunchy or tough.
You may start to look different
And not just because you’re without one or a few teeth. Remember when we said missing teeth might change the way you chew? This will have a domino effect on your jaw muscles and facial muscles. Over time, the change in these muscles will change the shape of your face and may even cause facial asymmetry. Plus, when missing adult teeth aren’t replaced, the jaw bone surrounding it will begin to disintegrate. This is because the jaw bone needs stimulation from tooth roots or dental implants for bone growth and density. Jaw bone loss can cause your cheeks and lips to cave inwards, giving your face a sunken appearance.
Thinking about replacing your missing teeth?
Learn everything you need to know about dental implants and All-on-4, as well as the costs in our guide.
When gaps from missing teeth are not filled with an effective teeth replacement option, the adjacent teeth can start shifting out of position. This can cause your bite to move out of proper alignment, leading to a host of other oral health issues, such as jaw clenching, grinding and tooth sensitivity. Plus, the existing teeth may rotate and become crooked as they move. Crooked teeth are a lot harder to keep clean, which puts you at a higher risk of tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.
Your emotional wellbeing may suffer
It’s not just the physical or biological impact, such as difficulty eating or speaking, that tooth loss patients struggle with. The psychological impact can be equally as devastating. There are many negative emotions associated with tooth loss, such as shame, embarrassment, guilt, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Living with these negative feelings can take a huge toll on your emotional wellbeing.
Sadly, this side of tooth loss is not often talked about. And many patients feel alone in their emotional struggle, thinking they cannot talk about it out of fear of being judged. This is usually the reason why these patients have avoided their dentist and put off treatment for so long. But at Green Door Dental, we believe every patient should be able to get the care they need, without judgement. All we want is to help you get back to a healthy smile.
Your social life and relationships may be affected
The emotional toll of missing teeth can have a flow-on effect on your social life and relationships. Those with missing teeth often avoid smiling, laughing and eating in public and may even avoid speaking to new people or forming new relationships. When you’re battling with the severe negative emotions of tooth loss, such as anxiety or depression, you may even find yourself withdrawing from social activities or pulling away from your friends and family. Missing teeth can have a huge impact on your mental health. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to seek help, whether from your dentist or another medical professional.
What are your options for missing teeth?
Thankfully, all is not lost if you’ve lost teeth! There are many missing teeth options and your dentist will help you find the right one for you.
Dental implants are designed to look, feel and function just like real teeth, meaning you’ll be able to smile, talk and eat with ease again.
Dental implants are the closest replacement possible to your natural teeth and offer a long-lasting, fixed solution. They’re designed to look, feel and function just like real teeth, meaning you’ll be able to smile, talk and eat with ease again. Dental implants and All-on-4 may be more expensive than other treatment options to replace missing teeth, but they offer the most secure, durable and natural-looking solution. At our Gregory Hills and Moss Vale dental practices, we offer flexible payment plans for dental implants and All-on-4, so you can replace missing teeth without the financial worry.
If you’re wondering how to fix missing teeth without implants, there are cost-effective and removable options like traditional dentures. However, it’s important to keep in mind that dentures come with some drawbacks that dental implants don’t have. For example, dentures can be loose and uncomfortable and may slip around while you’re eating or talking. Plus, dentures do not stimulate the jaw bone and will not prevent jaw bone loss. This means that your jaw bone will continue to recede over time and may reduce your tooth replacement options in future.
Thinking about replacing your missing teeth?
There are many reasons why you should replace missing teeth. And it’s not just about getting your smile back — it’s about regaining your quality of life too. At Green Door Dental, we take the time to explain all the options for replacing missing teeth and the benefits of each so you can make the most informed choice. If you have any questions about replacing your missing teeth, just get in touch or easily book your consultation online in a few clicks.
