If you lose a tooth near the front of your mouth, your reaction is probably to get to a dentist as quickly as possible to have it replaced. If you lose a tooth in the back of your mouth, you may not be in such a hurry to do something about it. People tend to react to sudden cosmetic changes to the appearance of their teeth without actually thinking about the importance of each individual tooth to their overall dental health. The loss of a back tooth can effect chewing, but it can also have a negative effect on dental hygiene and the foundation of the entire dental structure. One missing tooth can cause the other teeth to shift out of place, so even a tooth in the back that doesn’t show should be replaced as soon as possible to keep your smile looking good for years to come.
The reason a missing tooth can cause so much trouble is because of the bone structure that lies under the gums and holds the teeth in place. When a tooth is gone, the bone that was supporting it no longer has a function. The body reacts by allowing the bone to weaken and wear away. With a portion of the bone gone, the bone near the spot where the missing tooth was is affected and can cause the teeth it supports to move inward towards the space. Eventually, crooked teeth can be the result of just one lost tooth.
A lost tooth also makes effectively cleaning and flossing that part of the mouth difficult. Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of gum disease. Food particles that get left behind after brushing allow bacteria to feed and grow, which causes gum disease that can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
There are many options for getting a lost tooth replaced. If a tooth is knocked out due to an injury, it may be possible for it to be reattached if you act quickly to get to a dentist with the tooth. When reattachment is not possible, replacement options include dentures, bridges or implants. A single tooth can replaced with a partial denture that is removable or a fixed bridge that is cemented to surrounding teeth. An implant is an artificial tooth attached to a metal post, which is implanted into the jaw and acts as a root to the artificial tooth. Whichever option you choose, replacing a missing tooth is the best thing you can do for your dental health and your smile.
