For many adults, the idea of losing a tooth sounds like a nightmare — 99.7% of Americans surveyed say that having a healthy smile is a key factor in one’s social life, and nearly three-quarters (74%) say that an unattractive smile could even hurt their chances of having a successful career.
Yet having one or more missing teeth is more common than you may think. In fact, the American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 36 million Americans are missing at least one of their pearly whites.
But is having a missing tooth really all that serious? It might be easy to think that one can go about their lives normally after losing one of their adult teeth, but the reality isn’t always so simple. Keep reading to find out the facts about having a missing tooth — and whether or not you should speak to your family dentist about replacing it with a dental implant:
Missing teeth make eating a challenge
Our teeth are what allow us to effectively chew and digest our food — just ask any family dentist. So if even one of them is lost, it becomes more difficult to properly chew, which can lead to digestive issues like acid reflux or even malnutrition from your body not absorbing nutrients like it should be.
A missing tooth can change your face
Did you know that each one of your teeth plays a role in how your face looks? The teeth are essential for maintaining your jaw structure — so if a tooth is lost, bone loss in the jaw bone is inevitable. This can lead to sagging in your jawline, making the hidden problem of your missing tooth a bit more unsightly. Luckily, replacing a missing tooth quickly can prevent this from happening.
Having a missing tooth has hidden consequences
As stated before, the overwhelming majority of Americans today associate a full, beautiful smile with a thriving career and social life. About 96% of adults even say that an attractive smile can help one’s dating life. It only makes sense that the opposite is also true: when your smile isn’t at its best, neither is your confidence. The psychological effects of even one missing tooth can take a huge toll on your self-esteem and even your mental health. For this reason alone, many people opt to have their missing teeth replaced.
In most cases, you don’t need the help of a cosmetic dentistry practice when you’re trying to decide if you should get your missing tooth replaced — your family dentist’s office will be able to give you the guidance you need. So why wait? Schedule your appointment today!
