How important are my teeth?

Have you ever considered how important your teeth are for your long term health? Why should I try to save my teeth when they can always be replaced?
These are important questions that anyone should consider before removing a tooth that can be saved. Your mouth is the gateway to your body. Without teeth, you will have a difficult time getting proper nutrition which can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight gain or loss, etc. Your mouth is part of your body, it does not function alone. Just as if your knees do not function correctly, over time, using a poorly functional knee will lead to breakdown same as removing a tooth will cause your oral structures to function incorrectly and lead to breakdown over time.
There are many options to replace teeth, such as dentures, bridges, and implants; however, dentures are uncomfortable and offer only 30% of the chewing ability of natural teeth, and implants can be a costly alternative. Replacing a tooth with an implant can be three times the cost of saving a tooth. Make sure you talk to your dentist about all your alternatives and the long term ramifications before removing a tooth or teeth.