What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth?
Missing a tooth? You’re not alone. Most British adults do not have a full set of natural teeth. But replacing missing teeth is important for many reasons. Here I’ll explore what can happen if you don’t replace a lost tooth.
What causes tooth loss?
Tooth loss is not uncommon as you get older, and reasons can include:
- trauma or injury
- tooth decay
- gum disease
So, looking after your oral health by brushing, flossing and regularly visiting a dentist can all help to prevent tooth loss.
Is it ok to live with a missing tooth?
Replacing a missing tooth or teeth is important for a number of reasons, which I’ll explore below.
A missing tooth can make your other teeth crooked
Your teeth support each other, so when one is missing, the nearby teeth can move out of place. Over time, this can make these teeth look crooked or cause new gaps to form between teeth.
While crooked teeth can affect your appearance and confidence, it’s also an oral health issue – such teeth can be harder to clean thoroughly, which may lead to further problems.
You can get an overeruption from missing teeth
An overeruption happens when the tooth opposite the missing one starts to grow out of position. This is due to changes in chewing and biting caused by the missing tooth. It can lead to tooth sensitivity and other issues.
You can have issues with biting and chewing
Your teeth work together when you chew and bite food. So, if you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth have to work harder. This can make chewing more difficult, or cause issues with sensitivity and pain if food gets stuck in the new gap.
You may also develop a misaligned bite. This is because there is a specific way your teeth fit together when you bite – which is called an occlusion. This can change if you have a tooth missing, leading to negative effects on your oral health, smile, and the way you chew.
Your confidence can be affected
If you have visible missing teeth this may affect your confidence and self-esteem. Many people may become self-conscious and feel less able to smile naturally. So, replacing a missing tooth may help to restore some of your natural confidence in your smile, and overall appearance.
How can I replace a missing tooth?
If you’re missing a tooth and want to take steps to replace your missing tooth there are a range of options available, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. A dentist can advise you about the best way to restore your smile and improve your quality of life.
We have over 360 private and NHS practices across the UK, offering general dentistry, orthodontics and cosmetic dental services
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Sources Sources
- Tooth decay. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). nidcr.nih.gov, accessed June 2026
- Dental trauma patient information leaflet. British Endodontic Society. britishendodonticsociety.org.uk, accessed June 2026
- Gingivitis and periodontitis. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, accessed June 2026
- Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. UK Government. gov.uk, updated September 2025
- Missing teeth. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. mouthhealthy.org, accessed June 2026
- Malocclusion (Misaligned Teeth). MSD Manuals Consumer Version. msdmanuals.com, last revised April 2025
- Patient information. British Orthodontic Society. bos.org.uk, accessed June 2026
- Adult oral health survey 2021: self-reported health of teeth and gums. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. gov.uk, published January 2024
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