When you meet new people either virtually or in-person, your smile is one of the first things they see. For people with missing teeth, meeting new people can be intimidating, causing social anxiety, and impacting self-confidence.

If you are missing one or more teeth, chances are you’ve spoken with your implant dentist about tooth replacement options including dental implants, bridges, dentures, and crowns. The team at Lawrence Avenue Dental will be happy to walk you through the various solutions available, and the pros and cons of each.

Replacing missing teeth is something that must be done to maintain optimal physical and mental health.

Here’s why:

1. Tooth replacement can improve your self-confidence

Many people with missing teeth dread meeting new people because they’re afraid of being judged. This can have a significant impact on your social life, preventing you from getting out there and experiencing new things, and it can also impact your career as you might pass up work-related social events, conferences, or other opportunities that can help you advance.

2. Tooth replacement can keep the rest of your teeth in line

When there is a gap in your teeth, eventually the other teeth will begin to shift and fill that gap. By replacing your missing tooth with a solution like a dental implant and crown or a denture, you will fill that gap and prevent the rest of your teeth from getting crooked.

3. Tooth replacement can improve your speech

Many people with missing teeth begin to develop speech problems, including a lisp, because the tongue now hits the teeth in a different way.

4. Tooth replacement makes it easier to eat healthy

Many people with missing teeth tend to gravitate towards soft foods that are easy to bite and chew, which means they avoid eating healthy foods like raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables.

5. Tooth replacement helps maintain the natural bone structure of your face

If you are missing multiple teeth, eventually your face will begin to sag in the area where the teeth are missing, changing its structure and shape. Also, if a tooth is missing for long enough, the jawbone begins a process called reabsorption which causes irreversible bone loss.

6. Tooth replacement can reduce jaw pain

For many, missing teeth can cause a significant realignment of the bite, which can cause problems with the muscles and tendons in the jaw and face.

If you are missing teeth and are ready to speak with an implant dentist in Toronto, give our team at Lawrence Avenue Dental a call today. We’ll make an appointment to assess your current condition and walk you through your tooth replacement options to improve your overall health and wellbeing.