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Dental Implants Can Improve Your Health
At Pristine Periodontics and Implants, we don’t only focus on your oral health, but we ensure your overall health is considered too. When your smile has been impacted by tooth loss, your health, appearance, and psychological well-being can all be affected as well.
Learn about all the health risks associated with missing teeth and see how dental implants can help.
1
Loss of functionality.
Missing one or more teeth can quickly alter basic daily functions in our life that we often take for granted. The way you eat and speak isn’t as easy as it used to be.
Biting out of a big, juicy apple is nearly impossible without your front teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Or chewing down on a tender steak is much more difficult without your back molars.
Holding a conversation with a friend might be harder because your pronunciation is a bit more unclear or you may even slur certain words.
Dental implants act much like your natural teeth, restoring full functionality so you can eat and speak with ease again.
2
Increased risk of oral infection.
Living with gaps between your teeth can allow for food particles and other debris to get trapped in the open spaces. This makes it harder to clean when you brush or floss and will quickly prompt the bacteria to accumulate.
The more food and debris that builds up, the likelihood of you getting an oral infection, like gum disease or tooth decay, will increase. These oral infections can lead to more serious dental problems which may require you to get a supplemental procedure before considering dental implants.
Dental implants help protect your oral health from infection and offer the most benefits out of any restorative treatment.
3
Weakening of the jawbone.
When you’ve been living without a full set of teeth or wearing dentures for too long, your jawbone will begin to weaken and lose its shape. This is because your tooth roots help stimulate your jaw in order to maintain its strength and function.
Dental implants are the only restorative treatment that can protect the jaw from further bone deterioration and provide complete, proper function.
4
Premature wrinkling.
As your jawbone starts to shrink and your mouth becomes sunken in, the skin around your face will loosen and hang down. This can change your appearance and make you appear much older than you actually are.
Wrinkles around your lips will become more prominent and your jawline will be less noticeable. Dental implants can help prevent this issue as they protect the jaw and help fill in your face for a younger, more natural appearance.
5
Reduced self-confidence.
Tooth loss can completely change your life. You may be less inclined to go out in public and talk to people because you’re embarrassed and insecure about your missing tooth.
You might feel unhappy because you don’t smile as much anymore, although the simple act is a major mood booster. No one should experience the negative effects that tooth loss has on self-confidence.
With dental implants, you can put your self-doubt behind. They’re one of the most natural-looking tooth replacement options that blend seamlessly with your smile and help boost your self-esteem.
6
Increased likelihood of pain.
Having any type of oral pain is never enjoyable. Missing teeth can expose your gums and other areas of your mouth to the elements causing them to feel extremely sensitive and uncomfortable.
An increased level of discomfort, irritation, and pain becomes more likely when living with gaps in your smile. Since dental implants act as a natural tooth root, they can help defend against any pain caused by exposed gaps in your smile.
7
Anxiety and unhappiness.
Smiling is known to help lighten your mood, even when you’re feeling down and you have to force it out. When you’ve lost your confidence to smile, you may notice yourself not being as happy as you once were with a complete smile.
Tooth loss can have a major impact on your psychological well-being and has been found to lead to a risk of anxiety and depression.
You should never be afraid to hold back your smile. Dr. Sayed can restore the health, beauty, and function of your smile with dental implants. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults?
How can tooth loss affect my overall health and quality of life?
What should I do if my tooth falls out?
What is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults?
The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, this infection is typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build up and harden.
Fortunately, gum disease can be avoided. In addition to maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene routine consisting of brushing twice a day and flossing daily, you’ll want to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Sayed. He’ll be able to assess your oral health and ensure your teeth and gums are in optimal condition.
How can tooth loss affect my overall health and quality of life?
Teeth play an important role in many aspects of your life such as speech, eating ability, appearance, and health. Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and bacteria to accumulate under the gumline. Due to this, gum disease and loss of bone and tissue can occur.
What should I do if my tooth falls out?
If you’ve lost a tooth, either due to an injury or personal accident, there are a few steps to follow that are essential in saving the natural tooth, including:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) not the root.
- If it’s dirty, gently clean out the debris.
- Reposition the tooth into the socket, if possible.
- If you’re unable to place it back in the socket, keep the tooth moist at all times. If you can, place the tooth in milk.
- Call our office right away.