Consequences of Tooth Loss

How Tooth Loss Impacts Your Health

If you’re suffering from tooth loss, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you can. In addition to creating gaps in your smile, missing teeth can negatively impact your health in a variety of ways.

Causes of Tooth Loss

One of the largest risk factors for tooth loss is old age. As you get older, your jawbone and gum tissues naturally weaken over time. Unfortunately, this means senior citizens are at much higher risk for tooth loss. Remarkably, almost one in five adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth.

Some patients also lose their teeth in an accident — any sort of forceful impact that involves trauma to the face can lead to tooth loss. Examples of this could include car accidents, sports collisions, or running into a pole. Even biting down on a hard surface can permanently damage your teeth.

Though some factors are out of your control, the best way to fight off tooth loss is to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Daily brushing and flossing combined with regular visits to your dentist will keep your teeth healthy and intact. 

Other known causes of tooth loss include:

• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Drug use
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Clenching/grinding your teeth
• Genetics
• Illness

Physical Effects of Missing Teeth

Tooth loss can have serious effects on your physical health over the long-term, including:

• Periodontal Disease — When you lose a tooth, the empty socket in your mouth becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that inflame your gum tissues. In serious cases, this can lead to periodontal disease, a severe infection in which pockets form between your teeth and gums.
• Weakening of Jawbone — Your jawbone relies on your teeth for stimulation. Because of this, even losing just one tooth can cause your jawbone to rapidly weaken and decrease in density. In addition to causing discomfort, this can add wrinkles to your face and hollow out your cheeks.
• Cardiovascular Issues — The bacteria that inhabit your empty tooth socket can spread throughout your body, even into your heart and artery tissues. This can increase your risk of cardiovascular issues, ranging from high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol to heart attacks and strokes.

Emotional Effects of Missing Teeth

In addition to the physical effects outlined above, tooth loss can impact you emotionally as well. Having gaps in your smile can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance, damaging your confidence and your social life. Unsurprisingly, dentists surveyed by the Academy of General Dentistry revealed that over 86% of their patients suffering from tooth loss report feeling social embarrassment.

At JP Dental and Implant Center, we understand how difficult life can be when you’re dealing with tooth loss. That’s why Dr. Poovey offers custom-made dental implants to restore your smile and protect your oral health.

Dental Implants Can Help

Dental implants are a natural-looking, non-removable tooth replacement solution. The implant fixture is made of a titanium alloy that fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This prevents your jawbone from losing strength and your surrounding teeth from shifting.

With their natural feel and function, dental implants allow you to chew your favorite foods without fear of them slipping out. You also won’t have to worry about buying special products, as your implants only require gentle brushing and flossing to keep them clean. Best of all, dental implants last a lifetime with proper care.