How Tooth Loss Affects Your Health
Poor dental hygiene, sports injuries, or accidents can sometimes leave gaps in our smiles. If you suffer from tooth loss, know that you’re not alone — an estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Living with missing teeth is more detrimental than people may realize— it can negatively affect both your physical and emotional well-being while also leaving you at risk for further dental issues.
Thankfully, dental implants offer a remarkable solution that can help prevent dental infections while giving you a naturally stunning smile in the process.
Learn more about how tooth loss can influence your health.
1
Loss of Functionality
Tooth loss can impact how you speak and what you can eat. It’s common for people with missing teeth to start slurring their words and have difficulty communicating. It can also challenge your ability to chew and consume your favorite mouthwatering foods. Dental implants can mimic natural tooth roots and support porcelain crowns that resemble natural teeth, and both perform to restore functionality that may have been previously bounded.
2
Increased Risk of Oral Infection
The space between teeth can trap food scraps, making it difficult to remove food particles and other debris with just your brush and floss.
People with missing teeth are at higher risk for infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. This can lead to tissue loss and other dental problems, escalating the costs of treatments by calling for continuous work to maintain your wellness.
Dental implants offer wide-ranging health benefits compared to other restorative options.
3
Weakening of the Jawbone
Your tooth roots channel the energy and exertion of your day-to-day motions, like chewing and speaking, to the bone holding your teeth in place. This keeps your jaw strong as the bone is strained and then restored.
Damaged or missing teeth do not allow this action to occur and in effect, the jaw begins to lose its structure. Implants are the only solution to protect the jaw from further bone loss.
4
Premature Wrinkling
As your jaw begins to lose its shape, the skin around your jawline loosens and starts to sag. This can cause premature wrinkling, which masks the shape of your jaw and conveys an older complexion.
Dental implants can help prevent premature wrinkling by strengthening the jaw. If you have already suffered from bone loss, supplemental procedures may help your individual needs.
5
Reduced Self-Confidence
Many people who are missing teeth cover their mouths when they smile or refrain from smiling altogether, which can affect how they interact with others.
Tooth loss can provoke an overwhelming transformation in your social life, your desire to embark upon friendships, and above all, how you feel about yourself. You deserve to reclaim your confidence and secure lasting relationships.
6
Increased Likelihood of Pain
Missing teeth act as a window for exposure to the elements. An empty socket can cause substantial sensitivity as our nerves travel from our teeth, through the sockets, to the rest of our body. This can cause discomfort, irritation, and pain to occur.
Dental implants can help prevent painful sensations by replacing the tooth root and providing support for a natural-looking crown.
7
Anxiety and Unhappiness
We associate smiling and laughter with positivity, which is why we authentically feel happier when we smile. It’s why a fake laugh often turns unexpectedly pure.
It’s no surprise that tooth loss is associated with a greater risk of anxiety and depression. Tooth loss doesn’t need to lead to unhappiness. If the idea of smiling intimidates you, we have the means to change that.
Dental implants are permanent, affordable, and achieve a natural-looking smile.
Gain the freedom you deserve to smile confidently again without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my jawbone isn’t strong enough for dental implants?
A strong, dense jawbone is needed to support dental implants and help them last a long time. Unfortunately, when you lose a tooth, that area of your jawbone loses stimulation and starts to deteriorate. As a result, patients who are missing several teeth can experience significant bone loss in their jaw. Luckily, a bone graft can restore the full strength of your jaw and prepare it for dental implants.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
You won’t feel any pain during your procedure because you’ll be provided with an anesthetic. Dental sedation is also an option for patients who need it. There will be some swelling and discomfort following the procedure, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. Ice packs are also helpful to reduce swelling.
Complete Your Smile And Protect Your Health
A damaged smile has a tremendous impact on your daily routine, preventing you from eating and speaking properly to smiling confidently without hesitation. Dr. Kosinski highly recommends dental implants as a way to fill in the gaps in your smile and add an extra layer of protection.
We proudly care for patients in Bingham Farms, MI, and surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about how dental implants protect your health or to schedule an appointment, call our office at (248) 251-0795 or click the button to the right.