Standing in front of the mirror, you can convince yourself no one can see your missing tooth. It’s way in the back, so no one should notice it, right? Even if you feel you can hide it well, it’s important to replace a lost tooth that’s out of sight. Check out these three reasons to consider replacing it as soon as possible.
Reason #1: Your Molars Grind Food.
Each tooth in your mouth serves a purpose. The front teeth aren’t just for show—they cut into food like a crisp apple and make it small enough to fit within your mouth. Toward the back of the mouth, the molars are in charge of grinding food into even smaller bits that can then be swallowed and digested. Without back teeth, your chewing will become more inefficient and ineffective, which could cause you to have digestive issues.
Although out of sight, missing molars need to be replaced so that you can continue to eat a varied, nutritious diet. As a result, you can have a higher quality of life and better overall health.
Reason #2: Remaining Teeth Can Shift.
There’s a reason why people get braces of Invisalign: teeth can move! Although they are grounded in the jawbone, teeth can shift, especially if pressure is applied in a certain direction. When teeth feel the loss of an adjacent tooth, they slowly move toward the gap.
When this happens, the way your upper and lower teeth match up—your bite—changes. Not only can you end up having a harder time eating, but you could also develop significant gaps between the natural teeth you have left, drawing in the wrong kind of attention to your smile.
Reason #3: Back Teeth Can Show When You Laugh or Open Your Mouth.
Perhaps you can hide the fact that you’ve lost a back tooth when you give a generic smile or when you talk, but what if someone tells a particularly hilarious joke—one where you let out your heartiest laugh? Those around you could see the gap in your mouth and find out that you don’t have a complete smile anymore.
Ultimately, if you lose a tooth, regardless of where it is in your upper or lower arch, you really do need to replace it. Although a dental implant will give you the closest thing to a natural tooth, even a bridge or partial denture is better than nothing at all.
Even if you only care about appearance, replacing the missing tooth is the best way to feel confident about your smile again and ensure that no one sees a gap.
About the Author
Dr. Zachary Brice owns and operates Brice Dental in San Antonio, the city where he earned his dental degree. He attended the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School and has continued to refine his clinical skills through ongoing education coursework. If you are interested in learning more about tooth replacement, especially through dental implants, contact the office online or call 210-903-5565 to schedule an appointment.