How concerned should you be if you lose a tooth? For children, this is part of growing up. But! Should an adult lose a tooth, or a child lose one prematurely to cavities or infection, then overall oral health could suffer and serious complications could arise. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists talk about the dangers of tooth loss, and possible solutions with dental implants.
How Do We Lose Natural Teeth?
We may lose one or more of our teeth due to a number of different factors. An injury or accident could cost us a tooth, as well as untreated cavities or infection. However, gum disease is the most common factor behind the loss of our adult teeth. Periodontitis, the advanced stage of the disease, actually destroys the tissues that connect your teeth and gums, causing them to become loose and lost. Which means preventing tooth loss often boils down to simply caring for your smile each day with regular brushing and flossing, and seeing us every six months for a checkup and cleaning, which helps us identify problems in the earliest stages, so we can address them before they cause gaps in your smile!
Dangers for Your Overall Health
Losing your natural teeth could mean difficulty eating a variety of foods, depriving your body of essential nutrients. In addition, tooth loss is linked to troubles speaking clearly. Misalignment could occur as the teeth begin to drift from position, and poor alignment alone has been linked to higher rates of tooth decay and gum disease. The changes to your bite balance and pressure on your jaw joints could also mean greater risks of TMJ disorder and teeth grinding (bruxism) as well. Finally, the body will notice when a tooth is lost and suspend the flow of key nutrients, which wind up starving the bone tissue and causing it to break down, leading to further tooth loss and an aged appearance.
Solutions With Implant Dentistry
To fill the gap and protect your smile’s stability, we may suggest implant dentistry. Dental implants are actually inserted into the jawbone, acting as new tooth roots. This prevents loss of jawbone density, so you don’t lose teeth or suffer negative changes to your facial structure. The restoration we complete the dental implant with will be custom-made and natural looking in appearance. Your new tooth could stay in place for decades, possibly even a lifetime, and allow you to eat your favorite foods again and smile with confidence. If you have any questions about tooth loss or implant dentistry, then contact our team today.
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO PROVIDES FULL SMILES AGAIN
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, we can help you avoid missing teeth or provide a lifelike solution for the gaps in your smile! If you have questions about treating tooth loss, then you can contact our N. Zaragoza dental practice by calling 915-849-9000.