Tooth movement or shifting after tooth loss is one of the primary reasons I recommend tooth replacement for my patients. Shifting teeth impacts chewing function and oral health more than you may realise. Here's what you should know.
The Uncomfortable Truth about Tooth Loss
Bite Misalignment
A misaligned bite results from tooth movement. Without a replacement, neighbouring teeth tend to shift into the gaps left by missing teeth.
A bite that's not lined up correctly can cause a host of problems:
- Problematic chewing function — When your bite is not correctly aligned, you're more susceptible to damaging teeth when chewing and eating your food.
- Tooth decay and gum disease — Teeth that are out of alignment may be harder to brush and floss, which means a higher risk of developing problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
- Jaw joint (TMJ) discomfort — If your bite is misaligned, your TMJ can experience difficulty in functioning correctly, which could result in some painful symptoms, like headaches, jaw pain, or tenderness when you chew.
Difficulties with Speech
Losing a tooth can sometimes affect how you speak and communicate with others.
Additional Tooth Loss
If you don't replace a missing tooth, your bone begins to deteriorate behind the scenes and below the gumline. Bone loss reduces support for surrounding teeth, which can affect their health and sometimes lead to further tooth loss.
Talk with Your Clifton Hill Dentist
If you're living with tooth loss, we have several excellent solutions. The first step is determining what will work best for your needs. Scheduling an evaluation with one of our other dentists or me can help you determine your options, as you may have a few to choose from.
Talk with a team member on (03) 9482 6263 to schedule.