Having a gap in your smile is not only unappealing, but it can create major issues for a person’s personal well-being. Dental implants present a perfect solution that will fulfill your happiness and health, without causing any further damage.
Learn how tooth loss can affect your health and discover how Dr. MacDonald’s restorations can repair your smile.
1
Loss of functionality.
Two major downfalls of missing teeth is that it impairs your ability to speak properly and stops you from eating some of your favorite foods. People who are missing teeth tend to start slurring and mispronouncing words which makes it more difficult to keep up in a conversation. Lack of a full set of teeth weakens your bite as well, which can make it tough to eat chewy or hard foods.
Dental implants can fill your gaps while acting as natural roots for your teeth. They can help restore function and allow you to speak and eat just like you used to.
2
Increased risk of oral infection.
Having one or more gaps in your smile can heighten your chances of getting an oral infection. This possibility increases because when you have a gap, food particles and other bacteria can get trapped which makes it harder for you to clean when brushing or flossing. Without proper oral care, tooth decay, gum disease, and tissue loss are likely to occur.
Dental implants offer the most comprehensive health benefits out of all restorative options and can decrease your costs and treatment time in the long-run.
3
Weakening of the jawbone.
Jawbones are just like muscles in the sense that they both need to be exercised and stimulated in order to grow and become stronger. So, when you’re missing one tooth or more, your jawbone is not supported by a tooth root and becomes weak.
When your jawbone weakens, it will begin to lose its shape and your appearance will begin to suffer. Dental implants are the only solution that can prevent your jaw from further bone loss.
4
Premature wrinkling.
Once your jawbone starts to weaken and lose its shape, your skin loosens and slowly starts to droop down. This will lead to premature wrinkling, making you appear older with wrinkled lips and a sunken mouth.
Prevention of wrinkling is simple with dental implants. They act as a natural tooth root through a titanium post that can stop further progression of bone loss.
5
Reduced self-confidence.
As your appearance starts to change, self-confidence can drop tremendously. Many people associate tooth loss with a lower social standing and this can result in a lack of respect towards people with missing teeth. This can be extremely difficult for someone suffering from missing teeth because they feel like everyone is staring and passing judgment about them.
Dental implants are a transformative solution for you and can boost your self-confidence while encouraging you to smile all day, every day.
6
Pain, embarrassment, unhappiness
A smile is a simple indication that a person is happy. Researchers have found that gaps in a smile can have both physical and emotional effects on a person’s health and well-being. In 2008, the Academy of General Dentistry published a survey conducted with 1,100 of their members about common problems associated with tooth loss in their patients. The outcome showed evidence of the psychological effects related to tooth loss:
- 86.35% cited social embarrassment
- 66.26% revealed emotional pain
- 68.7% claimed to feel nervous or self-conscious
7
Extreme Health Risks
With ongoing studies, researchers have found that tooth loss may have a correlation to other major health risks, depending on a person’s condition. Some of these serious risks found to be associated with tooth loss are—cardiovascular disease, pregnancy risks, and cancer. Along with these health risks, there have been further studies of other major risks linked to tooth loss.
Seeking dental treatment is easy and dental implants are a simple solution for a healthier life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults?
The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. Also referred to as periodontal disease, this oral infection is typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits, allowing plaque to build up and harden.
Luckily, gum disease is easily preventable. In addition to maintaining a proper at-home oral hygiene routine consisting of brushing twice a day and flossing daily, you’ll want to keep up with regularly scheduled dental appointments with Dr. MacDonald biannually. This way, he’s able to assess your oral health to ensure your teeth and gums are in great condition.
How can tooth loss affect my overall health and quality of life?
Teeth play an important role in many aspects of our daily routines including speaking, eating, appearance, and overall quality of life. Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and bacteria to accumulate under the gumline. This can cause gum disease and loss of bone tissue to occur.
You don’t want to live with missing teeth and the effects it causes on your health and daily life. To explore our dental implant solutions and replace any number of lost teeth, call our Archdale office at (336)-803-7570 to schedule an appointment with Dr. MacDonald.
Visit Triad Cosmetic Dentistry
Ready to find a restorative solution that will complete your smile and improve the state of your oral health? Dr. MacDonald and our Archdale team are here to help you find out if dental implants are the perfect solution for your unique situation. To schedule an appointment, call our Archdale office at (336)-803-7570 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to meeting you!