Losing a Tooth? It’s More Than Just a Gap!

As a dentist, occasionally I encounter situations where patients request to pull out of a bad tooth, literally order death penalty on the tooth, giving up on saving it. But did you know that many of these teeth can be saved? Let's dive into what really happens when you lose a tooth and why keeping your natural teeth matters for your health and happiness.

1. Jawbone Shrinkage:
• Your teeth aren't just for chewing; they keep your jawbone healthy. After pull out a tooth, the jawbone starts to shrink because it no longer has the root to stimulate it. This can go on for the rest of your life!
• A shrinking jawbone can make dentures fit poorly.
• Plus, having a very much shrunk jawbone makes getting dental implants harder.
2. Neighbouring Teeth Move:
• When there's a gap formed after pulling out a tooth, the neighbouring teeth start to shift into that space. This can mess up your bite and alignment, causing bigger dental problems down the line.
3. Changes in Your Look:
• Missing a front tooth? That can change your smile and the way your face looks. Teeth support your cheeks and lips, so losing more teeth can make your face look older and your cheeks appear sunken.
4. Impact on Chewing and Speaking:
• Losing a molar can make chewing harder and less effective by up to 20%. This can lead to digestive problems.
• Missing a front tooth can also make it tricky to pronounce certain words.
5. Extra Workload on Other Teeth:
• The remaining teeth have to work harder, taking on extra stress, which can lead to more dental issues.
6. Risk of Losing More Teeth:
• When teeth shift into the space of missing tooth, food can get trapped in new places, leading to cavities and gum disease. The extra stress on remaining teeth and ongoing bone loss can make you lose even more teeth over time.
7. Impact on Self Confidence and Social Life:
• Losing teeth can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance, affecting their confidence and social interactions.

I hope this gives you a clear picture of why it's so important to keep your natural teeth when you can. Treatments like root canal treatment, gum therapy and dental crowning etc can often save a bad tooth. And if you've already lost one, consider replacements like dental implants, bridges, or dentures to prevent more problems.

By, Dr Lai Huey Yoke

Neighbouring teeth move:
The upper molar moves down into the space of the missing lower molar. And, it hits on the gum below when eating.

Jawbone Shrinkage
After pull out the tooth, the jawbone starts to shrink. And this can go on for the rest of your life!