How Losing Teeth Affects Your Smile Long-Term

Several different concerns can stem from losing one or more teeth, from the way it makes your smile look to the way it causes other parts of your smile to react. Some of the effects are obvious, but not all of them are, at least at first. However, you can address most or all of these effects by choosing the right tooth replacement option. For example, at our Overland Park, KS, dental office, we can help you overcome these effects by custom-designing a dental implant restoration, complete with replacements for your missing teeth roots.

How it affects your other teeth

Tooth loss causes the rest of your teeth to lose some of the structural support that they rely on each other for. As you bite and chew, the pressure of that bite can cause certain teeth to shift out of position and alignment, which can cause a number of different problems with their strength, health, and your bite’s function. The best way to stop this is to replace your lost teeth and restore the balance in your bite, which can prevent your remaining teeth from shifting and promote better long-term oral health.

How it affects your oral health

As your remaining teeth are affected by the loss, they can become more susceptible to things like tooth decay and tooth damage. Your gum tissues surrounding the teeth may also become diseased and more easily overwhelmed by oral bacteria, and much more can occur until (and even after) you replace your lost teeth. It’s important to keep these impacts in mind when designing your tooth replacement plan, as they may impact your qualification for certain options (such as dental implants).

How it affects your jawbone

The roots of your teeth are important for a number of different reasons. For example, when you bite and chew the stimulation within it helps preserve the strength and integrity of your jawbone structure. For example, over the time, it can cause your jawbone to lose mass and density, growing weaker and more susceptible to losing more teeth. With dental implants, you can mitigate this impact and your risks of losing more teeth.

Learn more about tooth loss

Tooth loss can have a significant impact on almost every other aspect of your oral health, but you can save your smile with the right tooth replacement option. For more information, schedule your consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.