How Tooth Loss Impacts Your Health

Causes of Tooth Loss

The most common cause of tooth loss is poor oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year are the best ways to prevent tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can easily lead to missing teeth.

However, tooth loss isn’t always the result of neglect or bad habits. Some people lack the education and financial resources for proper dental care. In addition, many people lose teeth in an accident — for example, running into a pole while skateboarding or biting down on hard foods. Playing contact sports such as football can also increase your risk of tooth loss.

Another common cause of tooth loss is the natural aging process. As you get older, your jawbone and gum tissues start to weaken over time. Unfortunately, this means elderly people are at much higher risk for tooth loss. Shockingly, one in five adults over the age of 65 are suffering from untreated tooth decay.

No matter the cause of your tooth loss, our team at Royal Dental Care is here to restore your smile.

Consequences of Tooth Loss

Losing one or more of your teeth can cause a variety of serious health problems, including:

• Weakening of Jawbone — When you lose a tooth, that area of your jawbone is no longer active. Without stimulation, the bone will start to weaken and lose density. In just one year after losing a tooth, that part of your jawbone can decrease in volume by 25%. This causes pain and structural damage, giving your face a wrinkled and sunken appearance.
• Periodontal Disease — Empty tooth sockets are highly prone to bacteria that inflame your gum tissues and lead to infection. In serious cases, the infection can spread through your gums and result in periodontal disease, when pockets form between your teeth and gums.  
• Cardiovascular Issues — Missing teeth will increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes. This is due to the bacteria in empty tooth sockets, which can spread into the heart and inflame your artery tissues. Tooth loss has also been linked to higher cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes.

Emotional Impact of Missing Teeth

In addition to the physical symptoms, tooth loss can influence you emotionally. A survey by the Academy of General Dentistry showed that 86% of patients suffering from tooth loss felt social embarrassment.

At Royal Dental Care, we understand how hard it is to feel confident when you have gaps in your smile. That’s why we recommend dental implants as the best tooth replacement solution for our patients.

How Dental Implants Can Help

At our practice in Schaumburg, IL, Dr. Troyan can restore your smile with dental implants. With their natural look and feel, dental implants will boost your self-esteem and allow you to smile with confidence. They’re durable enough for you to comfortably chew your favorite foods and they’ll last a lifetime with proper care.

Because the implant structure is fused directly with your jawbone, dental implants also help fight the effects of tooth loss. Unlike removable options such as dentures, dental implants maintain the strength of your jawbone and protect the surrounding gum tissue.

Contact Royal Dental Care Today

We’ve seen the difference that dental implants can make in a patient’s quality of life and we want that change for you. The effects of tooth loss only get worse over time, so don’t wait too long. Call our office in Schaumburg and schedule a consultation with Dr. Troyan — it’s the first step to your new smile.