It’s Not Just your Smile that is Affected by Missing Teeth

If you have been afraid to smile because you recently lost a tooth, you are not alone. Web MD explains that more than 178 million people in the United States have lost at least one tooth; however, there are nine risk factors to consider when it comes to tooth loss.

• Being male
• Over the age of 35
• Never brushing your teeth
• Smoking past or present
• Never seeing a dentist
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Your dentist explains that people who have lost their anterior or front teeth are more likely to have lost one or more of those teeth because of gum disease. Although you can’t do much about your sex, age, diabetes, or arthritis, you can do something about the other risks.

Recent research has indicated that the leading cause of tooth loss in the world is periodontal disease, which is the more serious form of gum disease. If you have gingivitis, it can easily be reversed reducing the risk of tooth loss.

Men are two times more likely than women to have a tooth or teeth removed. With that being said, tooth loss is more common in patients over the age of 35.

Three out of 10 people, both men and women, regardless of age are more likely to lose teeth if they are smokers or ex-smokers.

Over 40 percent of patients interviewed in a recent survey admitted to never having professional dental care maintenance. A whopping 60 percent of people surveyed said they rarely if ever brush their teeth with a tiny 16 percent saying they brush their teeth twice a day.

Talk to your doctor about high blood pressure, as it may be able to be reduced with a healthy diet and exercise.

Missing teeth not only affect your self-esteem, but can also be detrimental to your oral health. If you have missing teeth your run the risk of bone loss. Missing teeth can also affect the skin around your mouth, as it will begin to sag because of lack of support. Missing teeth not only make you look older, but also make it more difficult to speak and chew.

If you have missing teeth schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine what dental procedure would be best for your particular needs. 

Are you a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

These days you do not have to resort to fixed bridges or dentures if you want to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Thanks to the wonders of modern dentistry, you can have natural looking teeth with dental implants.

Just as strong as your natural teeth, dental implants are a wonderful alternative to dentures and fixed bridges.

Dentures can be uncomfortable while dental bridges require some removal of your tooth’s structure in order to make the bridge. Talk to your dentist who can determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Dental implants have become increasingly popular, and are actually more affordable than you think, especially if you factor in the replacement cost of new dentures every ten years or so. Dental implants are the best long-term option when it comes to restoring your natural toothy grin.

Although dental implants are not new, with ancient civilizations using seashells, wood and precious metals to replace missing teeth, things have certainly changed. These days you do not have to resort to animal or human teeth to fill the gap from a missing tooth.  

Dental implants are surgically placed in or on top of the jawbone using titanium or other types of materials to secure a synthetic artificial tooth. Once the posts, blades, or screws are surgically place in either the lower or the upper jaw they become a sturdy anchor for your new natural looking replacement teeth.

Not everyone is a good candidate when it comes to dental implants. You must be in good health and be free from gum disease. If you have suffered from periodontal disease in the past, your gums may not be strong enough to support the dental implant posts.

According to Web MD, other reasons that you may not be suitable for dental implants include chronic illnesses such as Leukemia and diabetes, which could interfere with the dental implant healing process.

If you smoke or use other tobacco products, your dentist recommends that you kick the habit before you have dental implant surgery as it could slow healing.

For more information regarding dental implants, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are a good candidate. Call today.