Waiting for the tooth fairy?

Maybe you’ve had a sport accident—you were heading towards the try-line when, out of nowhere, you were tackled and slammed into the ground. When you finally pick yourself up from the pitch the only thing left behind is a missing tooth. Proud of your accomplishment, you opt to leave the gaping hole in your mouth as a trophy of your toughness and athletic prowess.

It’s not an unusual approach—many people feel heroic after losing a body part or injuring themselves; proud of their feat and feeling justified at their blatant display of brawn and agility, they wear their impairment like a medal. Although it’s tempting, dentists suggest that this isn’t the best approach to take after receiving this type of injury.

Or perhaps you are losing your teeth as you age and feel embarrassed by this fact and do not want to call attention to your condition. Again, this is not an unusual approach but it is vital that you consult your dentist straight away to replace missing teeth.

Missing teeth, over time, can have a serious impact on a person’s self confidence, appearance and overall health. People with missing teeth often avoid smiling or cover their mouths with their hands when doing so. In extreme cases, a missing tooth can cause some people to miss out on social situations because they feel embarrassed by their appearance.

Furthermore, people with missing teeth have been known to report feelings of loss. As a result, their self confidence takes a knock as they realise that our mouths play a vital role in our feelings of self worth and the manner in which we present ourselves.

A missing tooth can also wreak havoc with your health, in that it can lead to deterioration of the jawbone, a lack of nutrition from it being hard to chew depending on the location of the lost tooth and the formation of an off-bite.

The remaining teeth may also tilt and drift into the cavity left by the missing tooth or it can become a nest for stray food, increasing the chances of tooth decay and gum disease. The muscles in the face may also be affected since, when many teeth are missing, they can become saggy and affect speech and appearance.

It is important to be aware of all of the possibilities involving failing to replace your missing teeth. Be informed of the consequences and get in touch with your dentist to make an important decision on the health of your mouth and your appearance.

Posted in: General dentistry
Tags: gum disease, missing tooth, Smile confidence, tooth decay
| August 1, 2011 at 10:29 am | No comment

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