Losing a tooth in a highly visible spot in a smile makes a majority of dental patients seek replacement promptly. Having an empty space in a smile can make a person feel self-conscious, detract from the overall appearance and even affect how that other people perceive the person with a missing tooth. In a survey of 1,000 Americans, over a quarter of them said that the first feature they notice when meeting a new person is their teeth and smile and that it’s the feature they remember most.
A lasting impression is often made within the first three seconds of meeting someone and when that someone has gaps in their smile that effects the first impression. However, many people hesitate to replace a lost tooth that’s less visible because they don’t think it has a significant impact. Unfortunately, such an assumption is incorrect and detrimental to oral health.
Impacts of a smile
A smile can play a large role in an adult’s life and how people perceive them. A complete, healthy smile may help a person climb the corporate ladder in today’s increasingly competitive job market. Socially, an attractive smile can project a positive, trustworthy personality and give an advantage over others less confident in their smile. Having a healthy, full smile can also create a more youthful appearance and boost a person’s mood. Missing a tooth, even in an inconspicuous area, can make a person hesitant to share their smile and may have a negative impact on their life.
Negative social aspects of incomplete smile
Along with the negative impact on appearance, missing teeth can affect social relationships. In a survey of approximately 20,000 Academy of General Dentistry members, 86% of the dentists revealed that social embarrassment was one of the most significant problems associated with missing teeth. In the survey, the dentists shared that over half of their patients avoided social interaction due to tooth loss.
Oral health issues associated with tooth loss
Social problems due to the tooth loss are just a small part of the problem. When a patient doesn’t seek some sort of replacement or restoration following tooth loss, it increases the chances that they’ll lose more teeth. The tooth or teeth adjacent to a missing tooth are highly likely to be the next ones lost, and this starts a cycle of tooth loss that can become problematic and expensive. Causes of tooth loss include accidents, gum disease and tooth fractures. Repairing damaged teeth is the best way to prevent tooth loss, but even if extraction becomes necessary, a patient doesn’t have to live with a gap in their smile. There are various tooth replacement options available today including partial bridges or dentures and dental implants.
With today’s comfortable, easy, and natural-looking tooth replacement option, there’s no reason to live with a gap in your smile, even if you’re the only one who knows about it. Even a less visible missing tooth needs replacement to maintain a healthy smile. Contact Dupont Dental to learn more about tooth replacement options.
