How missing teeth can affect chewing, speech, neighbouring teeth and confidence, and when to talk to our Finchley Road team about replacement.
It is easy to put off dealing with a missing tooth, especially if it is at the back. But gaps can affect more than appearance.
Front teeth cut food and back teeth grind it. Losing either can make some foods harder to eat. People sometimes start chewing only on one side, which can overload the remaining teeth.
Gaps at the front can change how certain sounds are made, particularly “s” and “f”.
Over time, teeth next to a gap can tilt into the space, and the opposing tooth can over-erupt. This can create food traps and make future treatment more complicated.
After a tooth is lost, the bone that held it gradually shrinks. Where several teeth are missing, this can change the support for the lips and cheeks.
Some people feel self-conscious about smiling or speaking at work or socially. If that is affecting you, it is worth talking it through. There are several ways to replace teeth, and doing nothing is sometimes reasonable too.
Dentures, bridges and implant-supported teeth each have pros and cons. Our article on replacing missing teeth compares them, and our dental implants page explains implant treatment in more detail. Results and suitability vary from person to person.
Dental Wellness Finchley Road, 106 Finchley Rd, South Hampstead, London NW3 5JJ.
Call 020 3813 3848, message us on WhatsApp (07522 141064), email smile@dentalwellnessfinchleyroad.co.uk or book online.
