There is more than one reason for a tooth or teeth to be lost. Tooth decay accounts for a great many cases of missing teeth but there are other factors which define tooth loss.

These include a physical injury which results in a tooth being knocked out of the jaw, periodontal gum disease and even old age. One of the defining characteristics of old age is losing your teeth which is due to shrinking gums, caused by a loss of elasticity in that area.

This section discussed the following causes of missing teeth which are:

• Milk teeth
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Root canal treatment
• Accident or injury
• Congenital missing teeth
• Ageing process

Find out more about these causes in these individual sections.

Whatever the cause, most people will at some point in their lives, lose a tooth or several teeth. Not a particularly reassuring thought but nevertheless, it is common.

The important issue is what to do about it. If you are missing a few teeth for one reason or the other then your main concern is replacing them. Doing so means no loss of self-confidence or esteem caused by a toothless appearance.