Maple Dental

Losing a tooth—whether due to decay, gum disease, or injury—can feel like a relief if it was causing you pain. However, once the "problem" tooth is gone, many people are tempted to leave the gap alone, especially if it’s in the back of the mouth where it isn’t visible. While it might seem like a cosmetic issue or a minor inconvenience, your teeth work as a complex, interconnected system. When one piece of that system is missing, it triggers a domino effect of oral health complications. Here is a look at what happens beneath the surface when you choose not to replace an extracted tooth. 1. The "domino effect": Shifting and tilting Your teeth are not fixed in your jawbone like nails in a board; they are held in place by a delicate balance of pressure from their neighbors. When a tooth is removed, that balance is destroyed. Dental Drifting: The teeth adjacent to the gap will naturally begin to lean or "tip" into the empty space. Supra-eruption: The tooth di...

Tooth loss is a common concern among older adults. As we age, our oral health can decline due to various factors, from poor dental habits to chronic medical conditions. Understanding the causes of tooth loss can help individuals take proactive steps to preserve their smiles and improve their quality of life. Tooth loss does not have to be an inevitable part of aging. By recognizing the contributing factors early, seniors can work with dental professionals to protect their teeth and gums for years to come. Gum disease is a leading cause Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease , is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults over 35. This condition begins with plaque buildup on the teeth, which leads to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). If left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth, and the underlying bone structure is damaged. Older adults may experience more severe cases of gum disease due to decreased immunity, medica...