Many people think that replacing missing teeth is purely an aesthetic choice, simply to improve the look of their smile. The truth is that the problems with tooth loss extend beyond beauty, as it can also result in various health problems, including bone loss and dental infection. Furthermore, studies have associated missing teeth with serious medical conditions and self-image issues.
That’s why it’s highly recommended that you replace missing teeth with dental implants before the problem gets worse, and costlier to solve, down the road.
Missing Teeth and Jawbone Deterioration
The jaw, much like a muscle, needs to be exercised in order for it to remain strong and healthy. When we chew, speak, or even laugh we can strain and tear the underlying bone.
And just like with a muscle, the jawbone repairs itself by replacing torn and strained tissue with newly generated tissue. But this process isn’t magical and it requires teeth to transmit energy and pressure to stimulate regrowth via its roots and ligaments.
If the tooth, and these connections to the bone, are lost, then that area of the jaw may start to suffer from the lack of stimulation it needs. Over time the affected part of the jaw will start to lose bone and, eventually, density. Eventual this jawbone deterioration changes the shape of your face and puts your face at risk for bone fractures.
Within the first year of tooth loss, The jaw may lose up to 25 % of its width, which in turn causes it to lose height and eventually volume. It can also affect your gums, causing the gum tissues to recede. After 15 years, bone loss can cause structural changes along the lower portion of your face by causing your cheeks to sink in. Over time, the distance between your nose and your chin may decrease, causing wrinkles and premature aging.
These physiological changes can make you appear not only older but also unhappy.
Tooth Loss and Your Emotional Well-being
It almost goes without saying that tooth loss can result in self-confidence and self-esteem issues. Our appearance can say a lot about us, even if what it says isn’t necessarily true. According to a 2012 study by Kelton Research, 40 % of respondents said they would not date someone with crooked teeth and 73 % claimed that people with straight teeth are more trustworthy.
Your smile can not only affect how much you earn, but it can also make all the difference between finding a job and not.
Missing teeth can cause more than just unhappiness, though. A 2014 study found that patients who suffer from tooth loss are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Causation can go both ways. People who suffer from emotional health problems tend to seek our dental help less often, which contributes to poor oral health.
All the same, if your appearance changes your state and mood, then missing teeth is bound to make you unhappy as well. This can result in a vicious cycle that is much better avoided by simply replacing your missing teeth with dental implants.
Other Related Health Risks
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and it can, in turn, become more likely to contract gum disease if you are missing teeth. Large gaps in our smile can trap food particles and other debris, which attracts bacteria that give rise to periodontal disease and tooth decay. The problems only start here, because missing teeth and gum disease can affect the entire body.
There is extensive research on the connection between periodontal and cardiovascular problems.
A study published in 2003 found tooth loss is significantly associated with PAD [Peripheral Arterial Disease], especially among men with periodontal disease. Similarly, another study from 2003 found that tooth loss “is related to sub-clinical atherosclerosis,” which relates to the buildup of plaque inside of your arteries.
There is also a connection between tooth loss and cancer. In a 2008 study, researchers found that associations with oral, gastric and pancreatic cancers tend to persist despite tight control for smoking. Their findings concluded that patients who suffer from tooth loss are twice as likely to also suffer from oral cancer.
Likewise, research from 2011 found that women who are missing teeth are 2.36 times more likely to develop breast cancer.
Other related adverse health issues that can stem from tooth loss include dementia and kidney disease.
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Improve Your Oral Health at Group Dentaire API Laval
The connection between tooth loss and dramatic health problems is clear and well researched. If you are missing teeth, why wait for the problem to worsen? Thanks to dental implants, we can now comprehensively treat these issues by replacing missing teeth and replicating many of their functions. Don’t put yourself at any more risk than you already are and call us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Carré. We have offices conveniently located in Laval and Mascouche, Quebec.