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What Tooth Loss Really Means for Your Oral Health

Every one of your teeth is important to your smile and bite function in several different ways. Also, having all of them present is, in itself, an important aspect of your oral health. Having a full row of teeth on both your upper and lower dental ridges is essential to making sure your bite stays balanced, and that all of your teeth have the support they need. Because of this, losing a tooth can have several devastating consequences on your oral health, and you may not be aware of what all those consequences can mean in the long run.

How your tooth was lost

Many of the consequences of tooth loss are common for most people who experience it, but there are some consequences that can be directly related to the reason why you lost a tooth. For example, once the tooth is lost, extracted, or knocked out, the impact on your smile’s appearance will be similar to other tooth loss patients. However, if you lost the tooth to accidental damage, then its loss may be the greatest threat. If you lost a tooth to severe infection, extreme gum disease, or other chronic oral health issue, then the loss will only be part of a greater overall threat to your oral health.

How it impacts your smile and bite

In addition to the specific threats that tooth loss can expose your oral health too, the way losing a tooth impacts your smile and bite can also be unique to your condition. For instance, with an empty space between them, your remaining natural teeth can lose some of the support next to them, causing them to shift toward the empty space. Also, the emptiness can throw your bite off balance every time you bite and chew, exposing other teeth to excessive pressure and risks of becoming damaged or lost, as well.

How to restore the tooth and its function

While the loss of a tooth can have several different impacts on people’s smiles, most lost teeth share one important thing in common – they’ll continue to impact your oral health until they’re replaced. For many patients, the most effective way to restore the tooth and its vital functions is to choose a dental implant-supported restoration. A dental implant is a root-like post that’s designed to support a dental crown, bridge, or denture in much the same way natural teeth roots support healthy teeth.

Learn about tooth loss and your oral health

Tooth loss can mean more for your oral health than you might realize, and replacing the tooth as soon as possible can also be more important. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600.