When you are a child, losing a tooth is a rite of passage and a cause for celebration. For adults, losing a tooth—or teeth—is a cause for concern. Whether the tooth needed to be pulled out due to decay, it was knocked out in an accident, or it became loose and fell out because of gum disease, the resulting gap isn' something you should just live with. Dentists recommend replacing lost teeth with dental implants, bridges, dentures, or other appliances for several reasons. 

Why You Need to Replace Missing Teeth 

1. Prevent Bite Changes 

When all of your teeth are in place, they provide each other with support that keeps them in line. A missing tooth creates extra space that allows them to shift to fill the gap. Not only can this result in crooked teeth, but eventually your bite can become misaligned. Misalignment can cause pain and contribute to temperomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. 

2. Avoid Bone Loss

Human bones are living tissue that constantly lose and gain tissue. In your jaw, this process is stimulated and supported by chewing. When you lose a tooth, though, the section of jawbone where it was is no longer stimulated. This causes the body to absorb the jawbone tissue into other areas of the body in a process called resorption. 

Resorption can lead to permanent bone loss that changes the shape of your jaw, causing additional tooth loss. Dental implants are the only way to prevent this from happening.

3. Preserve Your Speech and Ability to Chew

Your teeth are important to your ability to speak, and losing teeth can permanently affect your speech patterns. Just one missing tooth can change your ability to pronounce words correctly or clearly. 

It can also become more difficult to chew unless you replace the tooth with a dental implant. The harder it is to chew, the more likely you are to limit your diet, which can have an effect on your overall well-being.

4. Maintain Your Appearance 

Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant helps you maintain your appearance and avoid the loss of confidence or feelings of embarrassment that can come from a missing tooth. The missing tooth alone can change your appearance, but the effects of lost bone and deteriorating gums may cause you to look older due to the changes to your facial structure. 

If you have lost a tooth and want to explore your options for replacement, make an appointment with Smile Solutions Dental Group to discuss restoration. These experienced dentists serve patients throughout Hialeah and South Florida, offering comprehensive dental care, including emergency and cosmetic dentistry, to give you a bright, healthy smile for a lifetime. To schedule your visit, call (305) 640-5501 or visit them online to learn more about their practice.