We often speak about our options for replacing missing teeth, from dental bridges and dental implants to full or partial dentures. However, you may not be aware of the myriad of dangers posed by tooth loss. Maintaining good quality of life means having a full smile. Otherwise, serious complications could develop.
The Potential Dangers of Tooth Loss
- Misalignment: When you lose a tooth, a gap appears in your smile. Over time, the gap can cause surrounding teeth to drift from their positions, allowing them to become crooked or crowded. Misalignment can impact your smile’s appearance and also, as we will discuss further on, lead to oral health complications.
- Difficulty Speaking: Losing multiple teeth can make speaking clearly difficult, leading to problems communicating effectively.
- Poor Health: When we lose several teeth, this limits out ability to eat a variety of foods. Instead, we must subsist mainly on soft foods, which denies our bodies access to a number of different nutrients and can lead to poorer overall health.
- An Aged Appearance: When teeth go missing, the body responds by suspending the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone. Without these key nutrients, the jawbone itself dissolves, leading to further tooth loss and an aged appearance including sunken cheeks and even a ptotic chin.
- A Higher Risk of Tooth Decay/Gum Disease: Remember when we said misalignment can form as a result of tooth loss? Uneven teeth offer plenty of hiding places for food particles and bacteria, hiding places a toothbrush’s bristles or a length of floss may not reach. As a result, the risk of tooth decay and gum disease can increase. In addition, misalignment and tooth loss often place pressure on the jaw joints, making the onset of TMJ disorder and bruxism more likely.
Dedicated Dentist in Arlington Heights:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients in Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding Chicago communities. Learn more about your restorative dentistry options by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Engelberg. Call our office today at (847) 230-9703.