We all want beautiful smiles and a full set of functioning teeth when we reach old age. However, unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances can lead to tooth loss, which can happen to anyone at any time. Although it may seem minor, losing one or two teeth can severely affect your overall health and well-being.
Read on to find out the most common causes of missing teeth and the problems they cause.
Common Tooth Loss Risk Factors:
Certain risk factors lead to missing teeth. According to Pagosa Springs dentists, some of these factors are:
1. Poor Dental Hygiene
Plaque can build up from missed dental appointments, improper brushing techniques, not flossing, and other bad dental habits. Tooth decay eventually occurs when acid from plaque damages your enamel and weakens it.
But that's not the only problem; plaque buildup can also lead to gum disease. Periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, is when your gums recede from your teeth, creating spaces where bacteria, plaque, and tartar accumulate and damage your teeth. Periodontitis can lead to tissue and bone loss, and you may eventually lose one or more teeth.
2. Genetics
Tooth loss can also be a result of your genetic makeup. Studies showed that those with the beta-defensin1 gene are more likely to get tooth decay in their permanent teeth than others.
A cleft lip or palate is also caused by genetics and can affect oral health. It's a condition where the upper lip or roof of the mouth is split, leading to complete tooth loss.
Genetics is also associated with teeth misalignment. Overcrowding or crooked teeth can make cleaning challenging and cause problems with your oral health. Dentists often recommend braces to correct and straighten your overcrowded teeth.
3. Drinking and Smoking
Drinking and smoking decrease blood flow, putting you at risk for gum disease. These habits also weaken your immune system and slow down the healing of damaged gums. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 43% of adult smokers and binge drinkers aged 65 and over have lost all their teeth.
4. Uncontrolled Diabetes
High blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes and other dental problems. It also slows down saliva production, leading to a dry mouth that slows down healing. Patients with minor wounds or infections might worsen and lead to gum disease and tooth loss, which is 50% more common in diabetic patients.
5. Aging
Aging is inevitable and can cause different health problems affecting your teeth. Older adults are also more prone to periodontal disease, a risk factor for tooth loss. According to the CDC, periodontal disease affects 70% of adults over 70.
Tooth loss is more common as we age. Adults older than 65 are more likely to lose their teeth. Compared to the younger population, males over 75 years old are more likely to lose all their teeth as compared to others.
Side Effects of Missing Teeth
Knowing the dangers of missing teeth can help you to be more careful and disciplined about your dental care. Some of the common problems associated with missing teeth are:
1. Difficulty Eating
Chewing our food helps the stomach digest them easier. However, tooth loss can significantly affect our chewing capabilities and food intake, leading to digestive problems and lower nutrient intake. People who have lost their teeth may choose simpler but less healthy foods than those that require chewing.
2. Bone Loss
Your teeth's health and well-being affect your jawbone. Your jawbone is the anchor that holds your teeth together, and chewing and grinding your food stimulates and keeps it healthy. Losing some of your teeth will create gaps over your jawbone, keeping it from getting stimulation or exercise. This causes the body to absorb the calcium from your jawbone and distribute it to other parts that need it, making it deteriorate.
3. Crooked Teeth and Bite Problems
Your remaining teeth may try to shift and fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, making your smile crooked or misaligned. This will make flossing and brushing challenging. They also result in hard-to-reach areas where food particles and plaque accumulate, allowing cavity-causing bacteria to grow and develop.
Missing teeth also cause bite problems. Uneven bites can lead to bad dental habits such as grinding and clenching. These can lead to tooth sensitivity, tension headaches, and even muscle pain.
4. Facial Aesthetics
Maintaining the shape of your face is dependent on your teeth. If you don't have your missing teeth replaced, your face could look older and sunken.
5. Speech Impediments
Teeth are essential components of speech. Missing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce or enunciate certain words or sounds, making communicating with others difficult.
Key Takeaway
Missing teeth may seem common, but they impact oral health if not addressed immediately. Genetics, drinking, smoking, poor oral care, and aging are some risk factors that increase the risk of tooth loss.
Missing teeth can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and appearance. It also leads to bone loss, crooked teeth, and bite problems. Visit your dentist to see how you can address your missing teeth and the problems they cause.
