Can missing teeth affect your health?

Yes, having missing teeth will affect your health. Patients with missing teeth run the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, heart disease, premature birth, and endocarditis.

Your oral health is linked to your overall health — and tooth loss is a risk to your oral health. In fact, researchers say your oral health risks increase with each missing tooth.

If you’ve just lost one of your permanent adult teeth, insert it back into its socket and head to your dentist’s office immediately. You typically only have an hour for a tooth to be successfully reimplanted. If you’re unable to reinsert your tooth, store it in milk until you see your dentist.

If your tooth is unable to be reimplanted, it’s important to know you have a variety of tooth replacement options including dentures, dental implants, and bridges. Your dentist will be able to offer recommendations based on your specific needs and budget.