From the basic structure of your face to the way you chew your food, having properly spaced teeth in place is important to your looks, your health, and even your emotional state and social well-being.
1. Missing Teeth Change Your Bite
If your bite changes, you may find your jaw sits to one side or the other, depending on which side of your mouth you are missing teeth on. Your jaw may even begin to slant to one side.
2. Missing Teeth Cause Healthy Teeth to Decay
Having large holes in your gums gives bacteria a place to live, causing plaque to develop. That bacteria spreads to the other areas of the mouth and cavities form. That is why if a person is missing one tooth, they eventually need a partial or complete set of dentures or dental implants.
3. Missing Teeth Are Bad For Digestion
Having missing teeth and sensitive gums can change the way you chew your food. You may not chew as well, or might chew to one side of your mouth or the other. Because your mouth is the first step in your digestive system, food that is not chewed as well can cause more frequent choking, digestive problems like acid reflux and other more serious issues. Tooth implants or crowns can help make your bite stronger and help you avoid more serious problems.
4. Missing Teeth May Cause You To Hide Your Smile
People tend to get self-conscious about their smile, especially if their missing teeth are in front where they are noticeable. This can have a negative effect on confidence and sometimes makes people stop socializing as much.
5. Missing Teeth Affect Your Speech
If your teeth are missing, you may find yourself slurring certain words, depending on which part of your mouth has larger gaps. Your front teeth and how your tongue moves in that space helps to form a number of letters correctly. Your missing teeth will undoubtedly change the ease in which you say words, and how much thought you need to put into saying them without spitting or lisping.
If you have a missing tooth, or a few of them, contact Family SmileCare Center today for cosmetic dental services that will give you back your smile, and prevent further damage to your teeth.