What would you do if you lost a tooth? Does the answer to that question depend on where the tooth was? Usually, if one of someone’s front teeth is knocked out, an appointment is set as quickly as possible. But, if the missing teeth are towards the back of a mouth, and don’t have a significant impact on the aesthetics of a smile, people tend to wait. Sadly, missing teeth are more common than you may think. Actually, most Americans between 20 and 64 years old have at least three missing or decayed teeth.



Sadly, missing teeth can lead to a number of problems that are completely unrelated to how your smile looks. For example, people who are missing a tooth may struggle to chew. In response, they may switch to chewing on the other side of their mouth. However, uneven chewing can lead to a sore jaw. Another problem is that when a tooth is missing, the supporting bone beneath weakens. This lets your other teeth shift towards the gap, eventually resulting in a crooked smile.

Another potential problem is gum disease. As you may know, the best thing you can do to prevent gum disease is keep your smile clean. Unfortunately, chunks of food are more likely to get lodged between your teeth if you have a hole in your smile. This can promote bacteria and promote gum disease.

Luckily, a dentist can evaluate your unique circumstances and offer you a solution, such as a bridge or an implant. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you.