A missing tooth can ruin an otherwise beautiful smile, but many people ignore replacing missing teeth if they are further in the back of the mouth and do not show. Unfortunately, ignoring gaps in your teeth no matter where they are located, can come with significant health risks. At Yardley Dental Arts we understand that good dental health is about more than just a pretty smile. And as your local dentist serving Bucks County, we’re here to help!

What Are the Risks?

Whether teeth are lost as a result of decay or trauma, the resulting gaps can create a number of health problems. Below we have listed just a few:

1. Shifting Teeth: Think of the teeth in your mouth as part of a team. Each tooth keeps the others in line around it. When one tooth goes missing, it is natural for its immediate neighbors to start to shift and drift toward the gap that was created. The resulting misalignment can create problems not only with biting and chewing food, which can cause digestion problems, but also pain, headaches, and in some cases TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.

2. Bone Loss: The teeth on your team don’t just play a role with each other, but also with the bone surrounding them. Healthy teeth stimulate and support the surrounding alveolar bone enabling it to maintain good form and density. When teeth go missing, the alveolar bone does not get the stimulation it needs causing it to diminish, and, in time, the jawbone below it. This can lead to further loss of teeth.

3. Sunken Features: Besides providing a smile and an ability to bite and chew food, a full set of healthy teeth also supports the shape of your face. However, as your jaw bone diminishes and more teeth are lost, that support begins to erode and your facial features can become sunken and unattractive.

4. Speech Problems: Remember when you were a youngster and lost your two front teeth and your permanent teeth had not yet come in? You may get a chuckle recalling how difficult it was to say such words as “thick” and “thin.” What was cute at a young age, however, can be embarrassing for an adult struggling to pronounce common words.

What Are My Options?

There are several options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth, and if you’d like to find a local dentist serving Bucks County to discuss them, Yardley Dental Arts are here to help. Our range of options includes dental implants, bridges, crowns, and even dentures.

Call Yardley Dental Arts now – your local dentist serving Bucks County – at 215-504-2400. Or visit us at www.yardleydentalarts.com. We’ll help you decide the best option for you!

.