Effects Of Tooth Loss As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to damage and decay, leading to tooth loss and significantly impacting our health and quality of life. At Durham Prosthodontics we believe in replacing missing teeth to fill in the gap, support jawbone density, and give you the best smile possible. What Are the Effects of Tooth Loss?Losing teeth can cause a handful of unwanted results. Lack of Self EsteemYour teeth and your smile are one of the first things most people notice about you. If you have cracked, broken, or missing teeth, chances are you aren't going to want to smile much. This can lead to a lack of self-confidence, and possibly even avoiding social situations. Changes in Facial FeaturesIf you are missing a lot of teeth, perhaps one or two arches, this will cause your face to have a sunken look, making you appear older than you are. Difficulties EatingWith damaged, decayed, or missing teeth, eating can become very challenging. You may start chewing on the other side of your mouth or avoiding certain foods that are harder to chew. This can affect your digestion as well. Speaking Becomes DifficultOur tongue and our teeth help us to speak. If you are missing teeth, or have ill-fitting dentures, talking and pronouncing certain words can become more of a challenge. Gaps in Your Mouth Can Increase the Likelihood of Gum DiseaseMany people erroneously believe that if they have a gap in their mouth from a missing tooth it is no big deal. Some patients are even hopeful that their teeth will move into the empty gap and somehow move into alignment on their own. This couldn't be further from the truth. Teeth will shift if there is an empty gap, but they can become crooked and crowd into adjacent teeth. Even more concerning, empty gaps in the mouth are easy breeding grounds for plaque, food, and bacteria to accumulate; thus increasing the likelihood of developing gum disease. Jawbone LossPerhaps one of the most significant effects tooth loss has is that it quickly results in jawbone loss. You can lose up to 25% of your jawbone density in just the first year of having a missing tooth. This not only weakens your mouth and jawbone structure making you appear older, it also makes it harder to chew and eat food. If you wear dentures, they may no longer fit as snugly and properly as they once did, since your jawbone has receded. Loose-fitting dentures are uncomfortable, ineffective, and can cause embarrassment if they slip or fall out. Jawbone ResorptionTwo different kinds of resorption happen to adult teeth. During internal resorption, your body starts to resorb a tooth from the inside of your tooth to the outside. Internal resorption is difficult to see, which is why we take x-rays every year. We may be able to spot a problem with your tooth and save it before it is too late. There is also a process called external resorption. During external resorption, your tooth will get resorbed from the outside in. If you have a tooth that is suffering from external resorption, the enamel on your tooth will begin to have pink spots on it. Eventually, those pink spots will turn into black holes that look a lot like cavities. If we can spot the changes in your tooth early, we can save it. Don't Suffer with Tooth Loss Any LongerBoth jawbone and gum resorption can be a serious problem as a result of tooth loss, but prompt action can help ensure the best possible outcome for you. If you would like to learn more about the effects of tooth loss and if you may be a candidate for a dental implant procedure to replace those missing teeth, please give Durham Prosthodontics a call today at (984) 312-7056 to request an appointment. |
Contact Information3709 University Dr Suite D Durham, NC 27707-6224 (984) 312-7056 info@mydurhamdentist.com Follow Us |
