Sciota, Pennsylvania
A rite of passage for any adult is the loss of baby teeth. Most adults can remember this part of their childhood: the odd feeling of a loose tooth, the various means to get a tooth out (the string tied to the doorknob springs to mind), and the temporary change in appearance, eating, and speaking that comes when the teeth are finally out.
However, tooth loss is not only restricted to children. Unfortunately, it has been estimated that one out of 10 American adults has suffered the loss of one or more permanent teeth through means other than wisdom teeth extraction. This number grows higher with age.
There are, of course, profound consequences for the loss of permanent teeth. Today on the blog, we take a look at some of those potential issues.
Personal consequences
A missing front tooth will affect one’s appearance, which can lead to a loss of confidence. This might make a person feel too self-conscious to smile, which can be perceived as a more grim, even surly demeanor. Changes in speech patterns can lead to similar outcomes because they might make someone shy away from conversations.
But even if the missing tooth is not easily visible – a back tooth or bottom tooth, for instance – or the loss won’t alter everyday speech, another significant consequence is possible: the area with the missing tooth might appear to sink in, altering a person’s facial features. Tooth loss has even been shown to increase wrinkles and alter the overall shape of the nose.
Changes from tooth loss aren’t restricted to a person’s appearance and the way they speak. The site of tooth loss often collects more bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to unpleasant-smelling breath. Additionally, certain foods will be harder to eat and may have to be avoided entirely, including favorite dishes whose absence can affect quality of life.
Health consequences
A missing tooth can cause an overall decline in oral health.
Among the troublesome outcomes of missing teeth include the following:
- The bacteria which can cause bad breath can also lead to periodontal disease, which can lead to the loss of even more teeth.
- A missing tooth will often cause a shift in other teeth around it. This shift can cause even more changes to a person’s smile.
- It stresses the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. This is the joint that allows the mouth to open and close, and strain on it can make chewing, drinking, swallowing, speaking, singing or even yawning painful.
- Shifting of the bite due to tooth loss can cause different kinds of wear on the remaining teeth that moved because of the loss, possibly leading to headaches and pain from grinding teeth. These remaining teeth can become damaged, which may even lead to further tooth loss, especially if the shift makes it more difficult to floss, as it frequently does.
- A missing tooth can lead to bone loss in the jaw, which can lead to a domino effect of more missing teeth.
Missing teeth can also lead to other health conditions. In extreme cases, the inability to chew and restrictions on diet can lead to health consequences – even malnutrition – from missing vitamins and minerals. Worst of all, tooth loss is implicated in higher occurrences of life-threatening conditions. A 2018 study in Europe shows a link between a missing tooth and heart disease and heart attack. An American study from 2019 also shows this link, as well as one to stroke.
Replacing lost teeth in Sciota
The cost of missing teeth can be very high; however, there are ways to avoid the most dangerous and painful of these. The universal consensus among dentists and orthodontists is that missing teeth should be replaced. There are a variety of ways to do this. Historically, these have included dentures, which are often recommended if the person has lost most of his or her teeth. If the majority of teeth are still present, a bridge is an excellent option. In the last several decades, a very popular method for replacing missing teeth has been a dental implant, which has the added advantage of minimizing the possibility of weakening the jawbone.
Missing teeth can be dismaying, but there are treatments available that can get a person smiling again. The team at Chestnuthill Dental can help. To schedule an appointment, call (570) 402-4001 or contact us online.
