Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can affect how you feel, impacting not just your oral health but also your ability to eat and your overall health and wellness. Fortunately, tooth replacement technology has come a long way. Here’s what you should know about the impact that missing teeth in Rochester can have on your life — and how to find solutions.
Common Causes of Tooth Loss
Among younger people, injuries and dental trauma are among the most frequent causes of missing teeth in Rochester. A forceful impact on the mouth or jaw during high-impact sports, car accidents, and physical assaults can lead to the loss of a tooth or teeth.
Gum disease is also a major factor in tooth loss. As gum disease progresses from gingivitis and periodontitis, it can severely impact the gums and surrounding supporting bone. This weakens the foundation that supports tooth roots. If you develop severe gum disease, your teeth may become loose and eventually fall out.
Sometimes, tooth extraction is the only option for untreated cavities and severe tooth decay. This is one reason why routine dental care is so important. Regular checkups make it possible to spot decay early enough that a simple cavity filling could be all you need to protect your tooth.
The Oral Health Impact of Lost Teeth
When you lose a tooth, you can’t simply leave the gap as it is. This will have multiple negative oral health impacts. The hole left by a missing tooth allows surrounding teeth to shift into the gap. This leaves you with unappealingly crooked teeth, but that’s not the only result.
Missing one or more teeth can cause uneven bite pressure and change how you chew. This may lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which affects the joints, muscles, and nerves responsible for jaw movement. TMJ disorder can cause jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and other symptoms.
Additionally, as other teeth shift into the gap caused by a missing tooth, they can become less stable. This instability puts you at a higher risk of developing more serious oral health problems.
Tooth Loss and Facial Structure
People with missing teeth often develop facial structure issues over the long term. Tooth roots naturally stimulate the jawbone, which means that their absence can lead to bone loss. Bone loss weakens facial support, creating a sunken appearance. This effect is especially pronounced among people who have lived with missing teeth for years.
Bone loss is particularly serious among people who are missing all of their teeth. Around 17% of Americans aged 65 years and older have no remaining teeth.1 While dentures can improve function and quality of life, they don’t provide stimulation to the jawbone. This means that bone loss is still a concern, even with dentures.
Overall Well-Being and Tooth Loss
Missing teeth can affect multiple aspects of your life, including your general health and wellness. Chewing is a critical part of the digestive process. It allows your body to absorb more nutrients in the later stages of digestion.
Missing teeth can impact your ability to chew certain nutrient-dense foods, including raw vegetables and meats. If you can’t eat a healthy diet due to missing teeth, you may develop nutritional deficiencies. This impacts many aspects of your health, weakening your immune system and increasing the risk of chronic conditions. Poor chewing may also lead to digestive health issues like indigestion.
Prevention and Treatment for Tooth Loss
Prevention is key to avoiding tooth loss at any age. Keep up with routine dental checkups to identify any potential issues early. Establish and stick to a solid oral hygiene routine at home, brushing twice each day and flossing.
For those with missing teeth, there are restoration options available. Dental implants, in particular, can deliver a strong, healthy, and beautiful smile.
Solutions for Missing Teeth in Rochester
Tooth loss can have a lasting impact on your oral health, appearance, and quality of life. Prevention is the best policy, but there are treatments available to replace natural teeth and mitigate these issues.
Find effective solutions for missing teeth by calling Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester at 585-685-2005 or reaching out online.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/tooth-loss/seniors
