It is not unusual to see patients with missing teeth choose to simply ignore the problem and carry on with their lives as if nothing was wrong. Even if you do not find your missing teeth uncomfortable, it is important that you still pursue teeth restoration treatment. This is because there are many problems that can be caused by missing teeth that don’t immediately show up. These conditions can lead to even more possible problems for your oral health, requiring even more intensive treatments. Today, Dr. Keith Cooper is blogging from San Jose, CA to talk about just some of the problems that can come from ignoring missing teeth.
Whenever you lose a tooth, you are left with a large empty space that is no longer being protected. These left over gaps can create a lot of problems for you. For instance, It is possible for food particles and debris to get caught in these empty places. Without your teeth there to protect your gums, the bacteria formed by these particles and debris is given direct access to your gums. This can lead to a condition called gum disease, symptoms of which can include chronic bad breath, bleeding or swollen gums, painful chewing, and gum recession. This condition can spread throughout your mouth, resulting in further tooth loss.
Another possible issue you may experience from these empty spaces is teeth drifting. If you are missing a tooth, the teeth that surrounded it can actually begin to drift into the empty space. This can lead to severely crooked teeth, which come with their own problems. The biggest of these potential issues is called tooth decay, and the main symptoms of it are chronic bad breath, black or brown spots on your teeth, and toothaches. If tooth decay is allowed to progress too far, the tooth will have to be removed, restarting the cycle.
One last potential problem associated with missing teeth is bone loss. What many people don’t realize is that every impact of food on your teeth sends vibrations down into your jawbone that serve to exercise the bone, keeping it healthy and strong. When you lose a tooth, that section of the jawbone is no longer getting the exercise it needs, and will begin to deteriorate. Luckily, dental implants can be inserted into the jawbone and are capable of providing the exercise your oral structure needs to stay healthy.
The price of ignoring missing teeth is often much higher than what it would be if you had pursued teeth restoration treatment as soon as possible. And, with the replacement teeth offered by dental implants, there is no longer any reason to deny yourself the treatment you need. If you have any questions about the cost of dental implants or what your financing options might be, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Keith Cooper today. We look forward to assisting you with your teeth restoration treatment soon!
Keith M. Cooper
5150 Graves Ave. Suite 12E
San Jose, CA
USA 95129
New Patients:
408-740-5317
Current Patients:
408-253-4150
Monday: 8AM – 5PM
Tuesday: 8AM – 5PM
Wednesday: 8AM – 5PM
Thursday: 8AM – 5PM
Friday: 8AM – 5PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed