Conservative figures estimate that 69 percent of adults have lost one tooth and that approximately 50 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. Missing teeth can change your smile, compromise your oral health, and affect your whole life. Consider these reasons to replace even just one missing tooth:

Impact on Appearance
When people lose teeth, the remaining teeth may shift, which can create an awkward look. Often, individuals with missing teeth feel embarrassed about gaps in their smiles, so they try to hide their teeth and cover their mouths. Social situations may become frustrating or unpleasant as a result of an incomplete smile.

Impact on Diet
Eating a variety of foods keeps your body functioning properly. If you lose teeth, crunch vegetables and fruits may be hard to chew. Sometimes, people move toward soft, bland diets when teeth are missing, which can keep you from getting all the necessary nutrients.

Impact on Self-Esteem
When you look your best, you feel your best. Missing teeth can result in feelings of premature aging, uncomfortableness with public speaking, and even loss of sex drive. Many people become more introverted because of the issues with their smiles.

Impact on Health
The loss of teeth can hurt your dental health as well as your overall wellbeing. With gaps from lost teeth, the jaw may not properly close, resulting in issues such as headaches and TMJ pain. Once a tooth is gone, the jaw bone in the area begins to deteriorate. Over time, more of the jaw bone will disappear and the remaining structure will weaken. Your gums may be more susceptible to gum disease, which has been linked to health problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes complications.

If you have lost teeth, talk with your dentist about replacement options. Advances in dentistry allow patients to choose from fixed bridges, dentures, partial dentures, and dental implants for smile restoration. Live life to the fullest with a complete, healthy smile.

We want to give you something to smile about! Visit our dental team at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dental in Toronto.