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Many people think that when a tooth is lost, that’s it. The pain is finally gone, so there is no longer any reason to worry about it. Unfortunately, there is a little bit more to it than that, and chances are that your pain isn’t over just because the affected tooth has been extracted. There are many different problems that can arise due to the empty spaces left behind by missing teeth, some of which can end up costing you even more teeth in the long run.
Dental Implants Can Secure Your Oral Wellbeing
An unfortunate side effect of this empty space where a tooth used to be is that when you eat, food and debris can get caught in the empty socket. If you fail to remove these particles when you brush and floss, then bacteria is attracted, which may result in an infection we refer to as gum disease, or periodontal disease. Some gum disease symptoms to watch for include chronic bad breath, bleeding and swollen gums, pain when chewing, and gum recession.
The second thing to watch for after losing a tooth is called teeth drifting. Because our teeth work to keep each other locked firmly in place, it is possible for your teeth to drift out of place when teeth are lost. The surrounding teeth begin leaning and moving into the empty spaces between teeth. When this happens, these teeth end up in positions that make it hard to keep them clear of tartar and plaque. And, if you are unable to keep these teeth clean, then chances are high that they will develop tooth decay. Some common symptoms of tooth decay include chronic bad breath, off-color spots on your teeth, and toothaches.
One final thing you will want to watch for is jawbone deterioration. Our teeth provide stimulation for the jawbone. So when a tooth is lost, the area of the jawbone that held that tooth will begin to deteriorate as a result. As a result of this deterioration, you will notice that your bite may feel weaker than usual, and your face may begin to appear sunken or aged.
Fortunately, we can fill the empty spaces left by missing teeth with dental implants. Implants utilize artificial tooth roots made from titanium that are directly fused to your jawbone through a biological process called osseointegration. Thanks to this process, we are able to provide replacement teeth that work and feel just as good as your natural teeth.
Call and Schedule a Consultation in Belle Fourche, SD
As you can see, it is important that you do not fail to restore missing teeth. There are many different treatments available for replacing missing teeth in addition to implants, and we can work with you to find the one that best fits your needs. To find out your tooth restoration options, contact our office and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Christopher Jackson today.
