Should you replace a lost tooth?

It is common occurrence for people to break or chip off a tooth. Replacing a lost tooth can often be a bit of a hassle. Not only does mean a few guaranteed trips to the dentist, it’s also likely to cost you money.

In addition, while it can be inconvenient for eating it might not necessarily cause much pain. So should you always replace a lost tooth? In short, yes you should. And here’s why.

Aesthetic impact

Most people waste no time in replacing missing front teeth. Visible missing teeth can have a strong aesthetic impact on your smile, and can easily cause loss of confidence and social awkwardness. If you’re missing a front tooth, chances are you don’t need anyone to make a case for replacing it.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t worry about back teeth. First of all, while missing teeth may not be visible, they can often be a cause of great pain. For instance, it’s not uncommon for a missing tooth to eventually expose nerves and cause tenderness or soreness in the concerned areas.

Missing teeth can also indirectly result in other types of trouble, such as dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, which unite the jaw to the skull.

Affect other teeth

In addition, losing back teeth decreases chewing efficiency and puts extra pressure on remaining teeth, including front teeth. In other words, while it might not be visible at first, it will have very visible implications on visible teeth.

Because people tend to chew on their ‘better’ side, it is also likely to speed up erosion on remaining teeth on the opposite side of your mouth.

Finally, because a lost tooth creates a gap in your mouth, it can cause other teeth to move out of place. Having gaps in your dentition means other teeth have less support and stability, and are more likely to drift out of position or start to grow at an angle towards the gap. That is because teeth naturally move to maintain contact with nearby teeth.

See a dentist

Hence, addressing one missing tooth problem could prevent you from many more visits at the dentist later down the line. You should also get it done early, because your teeth will keep moving.

If you are missing a tooth, you should see a dentist ASAP. There are many solutions to replace lost teeth, such as crowns, bridges and dental implants. Book a free consultation with Sensu today. We will assess your needs and advise you on what treatment is best suited.