Effects of Tooth Loss
Lincoln Park, NJ
 The effects of tooth loss go beyond the obvious cosmetic concerns. Lost teeth can have cascading negative effects on health and well being overall. We usually see tooth loss as a mere problem of appearance, but the consequences go far beyond a gap in a smile. Tooth loss affects chewing, speaking, nutrition, and psychological health.
Problems Chewing and Speaking
A couple of immediate consequences of tooth loss are the changes in chewing and speaking. Teeth are crucial for mastication, where we chew and break down food into smaller particles that are easier for our digestive system to absorb. When multiple teeth are missing, patients struggle to chew, and this leads to difficulty eating. It makes it more difficult to eat a balanced diet. This results in a preference for softer, and often less nutritious food. These limitations can create vitamin and mineral deficiencies over time.
Tooth loss can become a nutritional problem because chewing is the first step in digestion. Inadequate chewing due to tooth loss limits the breakdown of food before it is ingested. This makes it difficult for the digestive system to absorb all of the essential nutrients. The limitations of what can be chewed and swallowed limits the range of foods, and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can occur. This can negatively affect health, and increase the risk of other systemic conditions.
 Bone Resorption
In addition, tooth loss can have a cascade effect on the other oral structures. The absence of teeth may lead to bone resorption, where the jawbone loses density and volume. This bone loss results in changes to facial structure. It causes a sunken, sagging appearance, and premature aging. Also, the loss of teeth may cause adjacent teeth to shift, which can cause the bite to become misaligned, and make teeth more difficult to clean. These changes can create further oral health problems, like gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Beyond the Physical Effects
Tooth loss is not limited to its physical effects on oral health, the psychological impact of tooth loss is often underestimated. Our smiles are a significant aspect of our self esteem and confidence. Tooth loss makes us self conscious about our smiles. It can also create social anxiety, and the avoidance of social activities. When we avoid smiling or speaking, tooth loss impacts our personal and professional interactions. The psychological changes from tooth loss can turn into a diminished quality of life, and may even lead to social isolation, or depression.
Dental Restorations Available
Fortunately, we offer multiple solutions for the problem of tooth loss. Dental implants, bridges, and dentures are common options that restore oral function, improve cosmetics, and prevent further complications that arise from missing teeth.
The effects of tooth loss extend beyond the visible effects to a patient's smile. Difficulty chewing, altered speaking, nutritional challenges, changes in facial structure, and changes to psychology can all be caused by untreated tooth loss. Recognizing these potential problems, and seeking treatment quickly is the best way to prevent further complications. Please call our The Implant Center at Comprehensive Dental team at (973) 633-5666 to schedule an appointment today. |
