What Happens When You Lose A Tooth?

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When a patient loses a tooth, we always urge them to see us about replacing it, usually with a lifelike and long lasting dental implant. Otherwise, serious complications can arise that impact both the patient’s oral health and appearance. What happens we when lose one or more teeth?

Loss of Jawbone Density

Our body quickly takes notice when we lose a tooth. Once the loss of a tooth root registers, the body will cease the flow of nutrients to the jawbone. Without doses of calcium and phosphorus, the jawbone will begin to dissolve. Soon, a greater risk of further tooth loss and an older appearance can develop. However, by replacing a lost tooth with dental implants, the growth of jawbone tissue can be stimulated, protecting your jawbone’s integrity.

Misalignment

When gaps appear in your smile, the surrounding teeth can begin to drift, causing crowding or uneven smiles. Misalignment itself can then make thorough brushing and flossing difficult, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as issues related to jaw joint strain, such as TMJ disorder and bruxism. Once again, replacing your lost tooth in a timely manner can help you avoid the onset of these complications.

Eating and Speaking

Over time, the severity of tooth loss can grow. As you lose more teeth, you can eventually have trouble eating. Being forced to subsist on a diet of primarily soft foods, your nutritional intake suffers, as does your overall health. In addition, you can develop difficulties speaking clearly. Addressing tooth loss can help improve your ability to consume a greater variety of foods and allow you to speak more clearly. If you have any questions or concerns about tooth loss, then please contact our office today.

Interested in Replacing a Lost Tooth?

James Stewart, DDS, and our team can you enjoy a full smile with natural looking dental implants. We serve patients from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.