Tooth loss can lead to a wide range of oral health issues such as misalignments, gum injuries, oral infections, jaw pain, and the loss of more teeth, and these can lead to serious consequences for your overall wellbeing. Fortunately, dental implants can replace missing teeth with beautiful and lifelike restorations that provide a wide range of health benefits. Here’s a quick overview of some of the ways in which dental implants may help you live longer.
How Can Tooth Loss Decrease My Life Expectancy?
Tooth loss is associated with many oral health issues that may decrease your life expectancy. For example, missing even a few teeth can drastically inhibit your ability to chew food properly, which can make it difficult to enjoy the diverse and nutritious diet full of interesting flavors and textures the human body needs to stay healthy. Inadequate chewing can also set a person up for painful indigestion.
To make matters worse, tooth loss deprives the jawbone of the exercise it needs to stay strong. Without this stimulation, it will gradually atrophy, which can pull the remaining teeth out of alignment and increase a person’s risk of oral injuries and infections. Eventually, this bone recession can create a frail appearance by leaving the patient with a sunken mouth, hollow cheeks, and withered lips. This can drastically reduce a person’s confidence and self-esteem, which can set them up for loneliness and depression.
How Can Dental Implants Increase My Life Expectancy?
Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone where they fuse with its structure through the natural process of osseointegration. This gives them the sturdy foundation they need to exert maximum chewing power so the patient can enjoy all sorts of tasty and nutritious foods like fresh meat, savory seeds and nuts, and raw, snappy fruits and vegetables. By improving their nutrition, dental implants may make it much easier for a patient to stay in excellent health for many years.
Dental implants also restore the exercise the jawbone receives during the chewing process. This can prevent or even reverse the atrophy of the jaw, which can help the patient maintain good oral health, a youthful appearance, and the self-esteem they need to feel confident in social situations.
Don’t let tooth loss lead to serious and uncomfortable health issues. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out if dental implants can be a great way to complete your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Kyle Sharp earned his dental degree from Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and continues to refine his skills by participating in continuing education coursework. He takes great pride in providing exemplary oral healthcare in a small, personal environment. His office in Fort Smith offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To schedule your consultation for dental implants, contact him on the web or dial his office at (479) 648-9988.