When someone loses a tooth, people often focus on the resulting appearance. However, there’s more to a tooth than meets the eye, and not replacing it can lead to even bigger problems down the road.
At Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental in Beaumont, California, Daniel Park, DDS, understands how a missing tooth can impact your self-confidence. But he also knows that’s only the beginning of the issue. That’s why Dr. Park offers a variety of tooth replacement options, so you can find the perfect solution no matter what.
If you lose a tooth, here’s why you shouldn’t wait to replace it.
It’s certainly true that a mouth full of healthy teeth is a crucial component of chewing and smiling. But do you know why? It’s because they function as a unit.
Unlike your fingers, which can function independently, each of your teeth work together as a unit, providing each other with stability. Because of this, losing just one tooth can weaken this system, and remaining teeth can begin shifting into the open space.
When your teeth start moving out of position, this can lead to a wide range of oral health issues, such as:
It also creates more open spaces and nooks and crannies for bacteria to collect, putting you at increased risk for gum disease and additional tooth loss.
Your body constantly reabsorbs and produces new bone all over your body throughout your lifetime. This is known as remodeling, and it also occurs in your jawbone.
Every time you bite down, this stimulates the production of new bone cells in your jaw. But, without a tooth or a tooth replacement, this no longer occurs. Instead, your body starts reabsorbing the jawbone faster than it makes it.
Signs of jawbone loss include:
Bone loss in your jaw can also change your facial appearance, causing areas around the bone loss to sink in and more wrinkles to appear. Plus, bone loss increases your chances of suffering additional tooth loss, which could eventually require more complex procedures — such as bone grafting — to replace missing teeth.
Fortunately, Dr. Park can help you replace one missing tooth — or several. In fact, he offers a variety of options to ensure you find the best solution based on your unique needs.
Common solutions for missing teeth include:
After performing a comprehensive dental exam and discussing your overall goals, Dr. Park can guide you through the best options for replacing your missing teeth so you can protect your long-term oral and jaw health.
Are you missing one or more teeth? Don’t ignore it. Call 951-845-2661 to book an appointment with Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental today.
