What are the Risks of Eating with Missing Teeth?

Louisville, KY

Missing a tooth can be an aesthetic problem, especially if the tooth is visible while smiling. But missing teeth are far more than a cosmetic dental concern. They can also increase risks to your health and well-being. Let’s look with our cosmetic dentist in Louisville at some of the risks associated with eating with missing teeth and why replacing those teeth is best not only for your dental health but also for your overall health.

Risk 1: Digestion and nutrient problems

Our Louisville cosmetic dentist knows that everyone wants a dazzling smile full of bright pearly whites. But teeth are more than just for cosmetic purposes; they have an important job to do! Teeth are an important part of our digestive system because they are responsible for chewing and breaking down food. This is important for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. When someone can’t properly chew healthy, nutritious foods like crispy, raw fruits and vegetables or lean proteins, they often choose foods that are easier to chew, which may look like a diet high in softer, sugary, processed foods that may lack essential nutrients and contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

Risk 2: Choking on food

When teeth are missing, food sometimes doesn’t get chewed as well as it needs to start being digested. This can easily lead to choking hazards.

Risk 3: Jawbone deterioration

The jawbone works hand-in-hand with every tooth in the mouth. As the foundation that holds the tooth roots, the jawbone holds the teeth in place. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in that particular space is no longer stimulated because it doesn’t have a job to do anymore, so it starts deteriorating. This can lead to a sunken facial appearance, which can affect a person’s self-esteem and lead to further tooth loss around the missing tooth.

Risk 4: Shifting teeth

When a tooth is missing, neighboring teeth naturally start to shift to fill the gap. This can lead to misalignment of the teeth, which can cause further issues with chewing and lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD), a disorder of the jaw joint, ligaments and muscles that can cause pain in the jaw and deep in the ears, clicking noises when the mouth opens and shuts and chronic headaches.

How can I replace missing teeth?

Fortunately, our family dentist in the Jeffersonville area offers a few options to replace missing teeth, including:

• Bridges — Dental bridges are fixed dental restorations used to replace one or more missing teeth by “bridging” the gap. They typically consist of one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by dental crowns attached to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap.
• Dentures — Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues, available in full or partial options depending on the extent of tooth loss. If a tooth has been missing for an extended time and the jawbone has begun deteriorating, our Louisville family dentist may have a hard time fitting the patient for dentures.
• Dental implants — Implants are a permanent, revolutionary solution for missing teeth. It involves our Louisville implant dentist surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. The jawbone fuses to the post in a process called osseointegration, which causes the jawbone to be stimulated again. Once healed, the post is topped with an abutment that connects it to a custom-made crown, which is a long-lasting prosthetic that looks and feels like a natural tooth.

Dental restorations in Louisville and Jeffersonville KY

Missing teeth can make you embarrassed to smile or speak, which negatively impacts your self-esteem. This can affect both your personal and professional lives. But missing teeth can have a real impact on your dental and overall quality of life, health and well-being, too. They can make it difficult — and embarrassing — not only to smile but also to eat and speak. You don’t have to live this way. Reclaim your confidence to smile, speak and — importantly — eat with confidence. Call Exceptional Dentistry at 888-918-3336, or reach out to us online today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to a happy, healthy smile.