How Missing Teeth Affect Your Health
Tooth loss is a serious issue that’s far more common than most people realize. In fact, 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. In addition to hurting the appearance of your smile, missing teeth can negatively impact your health in a variety of ways.
Explore our guide to learn more about the consequences of tooth loss.
1
Loss of functionality
Tooth loss can determine what you eat and how you speak. When you have missing teeth, this can weaken your bite, making it difficult to eat some of your favorite foods. It can also cause you to slur your words and hurt your ability to communicate effectively.
Dental implants fuse directly with your jawbone to take the place of a natural tooth root. Once they’re topped with porcelain crowns, implants completely restore your chewing function and ability to speak.
2
Increased Risk of Oral Infection
Tooth loss creates gaps in your smile where food particles and other bacteria can easily build up. As a result, patients with missing teeth have an increased risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. In addition to harming your oral health, these bacteria can travel to your arteries and lead to cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Dental implants fill the gaps in your smile to prevent harmful bacteria from building up. They’re also easy to clean and resistant to infection.
3
Weakening of the Jawbone
When you lose a tooth, the connected area of your jawbone no longer receives stimulation. This causes your jawbone to rapidly lose density, eventually resulting in your surrounding teeth shifting and your facial structure collapsing.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that prevents your jawbone from deteriorating. This is because the titanium implant post stimulates your jaw like a natural tooth root, promoting healthy bone growth.
4
Premature Wrinkling
As your jawbone deteriorates, the skin around your jawline loosens and starts to sag. This can result in premature wrinkles and hollowed out cheeks, ruining the shape of your jaw and making you appear much older.
By protecting your jawbone, dental implants can prevent this issue from occurring.
5
Reduced Self-Confidence
Everyone deserves to feel proud of their smile, but this can be a challenge when you have missing teeth. Gaps in your smile can make you feel embarrassed or self-conscious in social situations, impacting your ability to meet new people and make a good impression.
Dental implants look and function like natural teeth, allowing you to smile with confidence once again. Best of all, they can last a lifetime with proper care.
6
Increased Likelihood of Pain
Our nerves travel from our teeth, extending through the sockets to the rest of our body. As a result, empty gaps can lead to greater sensitivity in your mouth and even cause you pain.
Dental implants protect you from pain by filling these gaps and protecting your nerves.
7
Anxiety and Unhappiness
When you’re afraid to smile, it negatively impacts your entire mood. Smiling and laughter bring positive energy to your brain that you don’t want to miss out on. By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you’ll receive a natural-looking, permanent solution that will encourage you to smile more often.
Don’t let tooth loss rule your life — contact Barras Family Dentistry in Lafayette, LA and schedule your complimentary consultation today.