Many people throughout their adult lives will have to undergo tooth extractions as a result of various dental conditions and issues. Minor and major dental concerns alike can necessitate removal of the tooth in order to maintain good oral health.

In general, a professional dentist will recommend a tooth removal when your gum and mouth are at risk of decay touching sensitive nerves or blood vessels. Often a result of poor hygiene or trauma, it’s important that after a tooth removal, your dentist also follows up with fillings or dental implants in order to replace these teeth.

Here’s why replacing teeth with fillings, crowns or implants is so vital after tooth extractions. 

The Importance of Replacing Teeth

For the majority of people, the main reason for wanting to replace teeth with dental crowns, implants or fillings is for aesthetic purposes. However, it’s also important for your oral health that these teeth are replaced, as the condition of your teeth can impact many other things if they’re in poor condition.

Every tooth in a person’s mouth has a role to play, and neglecting to replace missing teeth after tooth extractions can cause a range of problems. Missing teeth can impact your overall health as well as affect your self-esteem.

Some of the things that missing teeth can lead to include:

Detrimental Effects on Bone and Gums

If you don’t replace teeth after tooth extractions or removals, your jaw bone will be under-stimulated and can begin to shrink as your gums pull back. The impact of this can be dangerous, as it can cause surrounding teeth to also weaken and collapse. Failing to replace missing teeth will ultimately lead to more falling out.

Negative Changes in Appearance and Structure

The above effects on the mouth will also have an effect on your physical appearance. A reduced jaw bone will cause the cheeks to look sunken, as it will no longer be able to stabilise your lips and cheeks. When you don’t choose to replace missing teeth with dental implants or fillings, your skin can begin to sag and wrinkle, contributing to a poorer self-image.

Poor Digestion and Eating Difficulty

Teeth are obviously crucial when it comes to chewing, biting, grinding, and general consumption of food. So when you fail to replace your teeth with implants or fillings, you can impact your ability to execute these eating movements. This makes the process of eating far more complex and frustrating, which can cause you to potentially stop eating various kinds of food that are important for your health.

Speaking and Communication Issues

Teeth are vital components for speaking and communicating. If a person is missing teeth, they can therefore be lacking the instrumental tools they need in order to speak properly and clearly. When you don’t replace teeth with fillings, crowns or implants after tooth extractions, you may develop a speech impediment and find talking to be far more taxing and difficult. This can also have a negative impact on your confidence, as you might find yourself speaking up less.