How Missing Teeth Can Change Your Life Replacing missing teeth is of uttermost importance because of functional, aesthetic, and health reasons. It is a decision that you have to consider soon after you have lost your teeth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that most Americans lose about 12 teeth on average by age 50. Again, about 69 percent of people have already lost one permanent tooth or more between 34 and 44 years of age. With full adult dentition consisting of 32 teeth, it would mean that by age 50 you could have 37 percent fewer teeth. Visit Durham Prosthodontics if you need to replace teeth before you face more serious issues. Here are the main reasons you should not continue with missing teeth. Issues with Facial AppearanceWhen teeth are lost, you will have facial changes because of the loss of bone. Your face assumes a sunken-in look, making you appear older than you are. To help maintain your facial looks, you need to have the lost teeth replaced. Also, remember that the more years you spend without teeth, the worse the problem becomes. Greater Chance of InfectionTooth loss can cause gum disease. The reason is that gum tissue begins to deteriorate. After losing teeth, the odds of gum disease and infection from bacteria may increase. An empty socket makes it easier for debris and food particles to collect in the area, making it easier for decay and gum pocket detachment to arise. Once bacteria and plaque remain in the dental socket, it may not be possible for normal brushing to reach the area. Again, losing a tooth exposes the sides and roots of the adjacent teeth, allowing bacteria to attack them. Further, oral bacteria can access the bloodstream through the empty dental socket, which creates more risks for bacterial attacks on other body parts. Misalignment of Other TeethThere is constant pressure being exerted on the other adjacent teeth. Therefore, if you have most or all of the teeth missing, it is likely that those teeth to drift and cause misalignment. All of the teeth within the mouth rely on the support of the adjacent teeth to stay in the proper position. If you wait longer to get teeth replacement, the shifting of teeth can result in problems such as crowding. Gum and Jawbone DeteriorationBoth the jawbone and gums have an important role when it comes to the anchoring of the tooth roots. Lack of tooth roots can contribute to the deterioration of the jawbone and gums. The tooth roots help in stimulating jawbone and gum growth and repair. If that stimulation is lacking, you will have gradual resorption arising. As such, there is an accelerated tooth loss process that causes facial structure changes. It is estimated that about 25 percent of the jawbone resorbs in the first year of not having teeth. To prevent the risk of losing more teeth and deterioration of the tissues, it is prudent to replace the lost ones as soon as possible. To find out why it is crucial to have your lost teeth replaced, contact Durham Prosthodontics by calling (984) 312-7056. Our dentist will review with you the tooth replacement options we offer, including the most preferred ones - dental implants and dentures. |
Contact Information3709 University Dr Suite D Durham, NC 27707-6224 (984) 312-7056 info@mydurhamdentist.com Follow Us |
