Do all missing teeth need to be replaced?

Absolutely no!

Teeth are optional. There’s no law saying that everyone has to have 32 teeth.


It’s not like running a car where getting an annual MOT is a legal requirement. As far as I am aware, it’s not illegal to be missing some teeth.


Lots of people have various missing teeth and it does them no harm at all.


So how do dentists work out which ones need replacing and which ones don’t.


Well, here’s my feelings on the matter.


Does it show? 
Most people don’t want to have gaps in their smile. However, many people are just unaware of how they look when they smile and just how many teeth they show, because they only see themselves in a mirror front view only. If they could see themselves from the side, especially when they are smiling widely or laughing, they could really see what shows and what doesn’t. So if you’re not sure, ask someone else if they can see the gaps.


Can I chew OK?
The more spaces there are, the harder it is to chew your food properly. This can have effects on food digestion as well as being embarrassing socially. Amazingly, there are people who manage to eat loads of things without any teeth at all, just by using their gums! You’ll know if you are missing out on the pleasures of being able to eat whatever you want. The people you eat with will know if you’re taking twice as long to chew as everyone else.


Is it causing any harm?
Although it can be hard to notice it because it happens slowly, teeth will often move around if there are gaps. Missing teeth can lead to the neighbouring teeth tilting and the opposing teeth (that’s the teeth in the opposite jaw to the gaps) moving drastically out of position. This, in turn, can lead to the other teeth decaying, which can cause big problems. You may not notice this movement, but your dentist will be aware of it.


Is it right at the back?
Generally, I don’t advise replacing missing teeth that are right at the back of the mouth, provided that people have enough other teeth elsewhere. The benefits of having them are often outweighed by the difficulties, costs and risks of replacing them.


I hope this helps, do let me know your own thoughts