If you have a missing tooth you may be wondering if it is really that important to have it remedied.

A tooth can be lost due to decay or trauma, but whatever the reason, unless they are wisdom teeth which are not necessary, it is important to get them replaced.

This is especially true if there are teeth adjacent to the gap, and if the missing tooth came into contact with the opposing teeth.The adjacent teeth will have been kept in position by the lost tooth, and will gradually begin to drift out of alignment into the space left behind.This can create unsightly gaps in between other teeth, affecting your smile, and can cause problems with your bite as the teeth will no longer be positioned to bite together correctly.

The opposing teeth will have been kept in position by biting against the lost tooth, and without this contact they will begin to migrate, or over erupt towards the gap.

You’ll also find that having gaps in between your tooth makes it much more difficult to chew food properly, especially if you are missing a posterior or back tooth. If the space is left then it’s likely that you’ll end up chewing in areas where teeth are still intact. Over time this could affect your jaw muscles and the health of your jaw, and could even create more health problems.

An additional problem with a missing tooth is that food is far more likely to get trapped in the gap, and if this area isn’t properly cleaned then it could lead to potential health problems such as tooth decay or gum disease. There are lots of different options for replacing missing teeth depending on your budget, the position of the lost tooth, and the health of your jaw.