How Tooth Loss Affects Your Health
Missing teeth affect more than your appearance. If you’ve lost one or more teeth, proper restorative care can help prevent several dental health issues and give you back the confidence of a complete smile.
Each of your teeth help stimulate the jawbone, promoting the regeneration of bone cells and preserving its density and lasting health. When teeth are lost, the absence of this essential stimulation leads to deterioration of the jawbone. Missing teeth also leave your mouth vulnerable to infection, which can lead to more serious oral and physical health problems in the long run. Discover why it’s essential to seek dental care early to protect your health and well-being after the loss of teeth.
1
Loss of functionality
Teeth play a big role in our everyday lives. They help us eat, speak, and smile with confidence. When a tooth is missing, it becomes harder to chew properly, and it’s likely you’ll have to give up certain foods as well.
Your teeth are essential for speaking clearly and pronouncing words. When you talk, your teeth, tongue, and lips help you form words properly. Missing teeth make it harder to effectively communicate with others.
2
Increased Risk of Oral Infection
Tooth loss may increase your risk for tooth decay or gum disease. If your gums are exposed, they become more vulnerable to bacteria. The early stages of gum disease are often painless, making it likely for the infection to go unnoticed.
Gaps between your teeth may also make it more difficult to brush thoroughly between each tooth.
3
Premature Aging
Have you ever noticed how your cheeks form around your jaw? Each patient has a unique facial structure, and your jawbone and teeth play an essential part in shaping it.
When you’re missing a tooth, it’s likely your cheeks will begin to sag due to the lack of support. This can cause wrinkles to form, resulting in an older-looking appearance.
4
Reduced Self-Confidence
A complete smile is one of the most attractive features a person can have, expressing joy and happiness. When you see someone smiling, you’re more likely to enjoy spending time with them and share your smile as well.
Tooth loss may cause patients to become self-conscious about their smile and hide it from others. An incomplete smile can take a toll on your social, professional, and intimate relationships.
5
Increased Likelihood of Pain
For patients with tooth sensitivity, drinking hot and cold drinks can cause pain and discomfort in your teeth and gums. This is because each tooth is connected to nerves below your gums.
Tooth loss leads to spaces between your teeth, making the areas more vulnerable to sensitivity since the nerves lose their protection.
6
Anxiety and Unhappiness
Smiling is not only contagious, but it has the ability to trick your mind into believing you’re happy, even if you’re not. This is a result of a “feel-good” chemical that’s released throughout your body, relieving stress and boosting your mood.
If you’re feeling unhappy with your missing teeth, you’re more likely to hide your smile. This can provoke lower self-esteem and negative moods, and cause you to be unsatisfied with your appearance.
Ask Dr. Klym How Dental Implants Can Help
Do you want to become a happier, healthier person by restoring your missing teeth? Dental implants are natural-looking tooth replacement solution that’ll fill the gaps in your smile to prevent serious health consequences from occurring.
Give us a call at (231)774-6819 to learn more about dental implants. You can also fill out the simple contact form below, and a member of our staff will get back to you right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes tooth loss in adults?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Fortunately, practicing good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing daily can help prevent gum disease. Other common causes of tooth loss include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dental trauma
- Cavities
- Poor nutrition
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Tobacco usage
In addition to good oral hygiene habits, it’s essential to schedule biannual dental exams and cleanings at our Petoskey office. Dr. Klym will assess your oral health and ensure your teeth and gums are in excellent condition.
What's the best option for replacing missing teeth?
While no one treatment’s ideal for every patient, dental implants are a sturdy and secure tooth replacement option recommended by Dr. Klym. Dental implants are a natural-looking tooth replacement option that won’t shift or come loose. Best of all, they can last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care.
Dental implants are affixed directly to your jawbone, providing unmatched stability and longevity. Once they’re in place, your implants will look and feel just like your natural teeth. If you’re missing more than one tooth, we also offer implant-supported bridges and dentures.
Why do missing teeth need to be replaced?
When left untreated, missing teeth can result in a host of health complications. One prominent issue is jawbone deterioration, in which a patient’s jawbone will gradually lose bone mass. Tooth roots are responsible for stimulating jawbones and promoting their healthy growth.
Tooth loss can also have an impact on your appearance. Jawbone deterioration may lead to a sunken appearance and wrinkles. Missing teeth may also lead to your surrounding teeth shifting out of place, making it difficult to take confidence in your smile.
What kind of problems can occur from tooth loss?
Aside from having a negative effect on your appearance, missing teeth can lead to several oral health issues, such as:
- A crooked smile
- Bite problems
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Teeth misalignment
Crooked and misaligned teeth are also difficult to clean, resulting in poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene may then lead to decay, gum disease, and other serious complications. Seeking treatment for a missing tooth as soon as possible is crucial to preventing oral health problems.
How does dental health affect overall health?
Your oral health isn’t the only thing at risk when you leave missing teeth untreated. Your overall health and wellness could also suffer when you have unaddressed oral health issues, leading to complications like:
- Heart problems
- Strokes
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Preterm labor
If you’re missing one or more teeth, don’t wait to seek treatment. Schedule an appointment at our Petoskey office as soon as you’re able to learn about our implant solutions.