Your teeth are meant to last for life with proper care and maintenance. Unfortunately, tooth loss still remains a significant and common concern, and for many patients in Encinitas/San Diego, it can have several serious consequences. The good news is that most patients realize the importance of addressing their tooth loss as soon as possible to mitigate its long-term effects. However, for patients who don’t, we take a look at a few good reasons why taking tooth loss seriously is vital to your oral health.
It won’t stop at one tooth
The problem with tooth loss is that your oral health troubles don’t stop just because your tooth is gone. In fact, every tooth you lose increases your risks of losing more teeth. Before long, you may have few or no healthy, natural teeth left to save. The best way to avoid this heightened risk is to replace your lost tooth or teeth as soon as possible.
It will affect your quality of life
A single lost tooth might not seem like a big deal besides the effect it has on your smile’s appearance. However, tooth loss also affects your ability to bite and chew your food comfortably, and depending on the tooth’s location, it can also interrupt your ability to enunciate your words clearly. On top of the impact that it can have on your confidence, these consequences can significantly influence your overall quality of life.
You might not see the biggest dangers
Even if you notice the impacts on your diet and speech, there are still more consequences that may not become noticeable until years after you’ve lost one or more teeth. For instance, the loss of your teeth roots can cause your jawbone to lose mass and density over time, which can gradually affect your overall facial appearance and more.
Address tooth loss with dental implants
Taking tooth loss seriously means finding the most beneficial way to replace them, which often means utilizing one or more dental implants. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.