Category: General Dentistry
So, you had teeth extracted and/or are missing a few teeth? No big deal, right? Do not fool yourself! There are plenty of issues that come with missing teeth in Clifton Park, NY. You lose the confidence in your smile, you can’t chew the foods you use to enjoy, and so much more. Beyond these though, there are also adverse health effects to missing teeth.
What Happens When We Are Missing Teeth?
From gum disease to infection, there are several reasons why you should consider replacement of your missing teeth!
In many cases, the gums where the tooth used to be will get infected which will cause inflammation. This is known as gingivitis, commonly referred to as gum disease. Gingivitis can cause your gums to bleed when you floss, changes in your bite line, pain when chewing, pus to form between the gums and teeth, and other symptoms. This, of course, makes day-to-day life more difficult as the pain from chewing causes great amounts of anxiety about eating and can cause other teeth to loosen or fall out.
Another problem that may occur is weakness in your jaw and other teeth. Other teeth surrounding the missing one have to work harder to chew due to the lack of teeth and can cause jaw pain, weakness, and in some cases temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). Your TMJ attaches your lower jawbone to the rest of your skull and when it is being worked on one side more heavily, it can cause disorders to form which will result in pain when chewing and many other issues.
Fill Those Gaps
To avoid these diseases and others that are caused by the loss of teeth, consider calling us at (518) 345-0048. Contact our office in Clifton Park, NY to schedule an appointment with our doctors, Tiffany O’Brien, John O’Brien, and Albana Cami, so we can give you our options to fill in that missing tooth! With years of experience in supporting those like you, we will work with you to find the best treatment option to fit your unique situation. We look forward to helping you!
References
Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis), Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/gingivitis
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/tmj-disorders
If you are one of the 40 million Americans that has at least one missing tooth, it’s important that you know that it’s not just aesthetic challenges you face. Most dislike the way the mouth looks with missing teeth, but there may be other, larger health risks that come with not replacing your teeth.
1. Shifting Teeth
Each tooth works as a placeholder to keep the other teeth around it in place. Once a tooth is missing, the others can shift over time and misalign your bite. If you once had a straight smile, you may quickly notice that your teeth are out of alignment. When you lose teeth, it’s important to replace them quickly so the others don’t shift.
2. Oral Health Care
Caring for your gums and teeth are so important to your overall health. Once the teeth shift and move out of alignment, it can be harder to reach certain areas to floss or brush. If bacteria and plaque are left on the teeth, you may quickly develop periodontal disease. This can lead to more lost teeth over time.
3. TMJ
If the upper and lower jaw don’t meet when you bite down, you may deal with problems with the temporomandibular joint in the jaw. As teeth shift out of alignment over a period, you may notice jaw pain, headaches, clicking noises and the inability to open your jaw all the way.
4. Bone Loss
The tooth’s root is secured in the jawbone and stimulates it to grow and regenerate bone. When the root is gone, the bone can crumble and die. Fortunately, dental implants are placed directly in the jaw, so bone loss is minimal when teeth are replaced quickly.
5. Confidence
If you have missing teeth, it’s easy to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable in both your personal and professional life.
Contact Us
If you are interested in receiving dental implants, contact our office in Clifton Park, NY to schedule an appointment with our doctors, Tiffany O’Brien, John O’Brien, and Albana Cami, by calling our new patient line at (518) 345-0048. We can work together to determine whether you are a good candidate for implants!
Denture repair occurs more often than not, because of their fragile nature. Because of the material dentures are typically made of, you should be as careful as possible with them, especially because they are removable. Dentures if they fall or are being used to bite too tough of food, you may encounter chips or loosened teeth, you may even deal with the foundation being cracked. Dentures over time may also warp, so it is necessary to take good care of them to ensure their longevity.
If your dentures become damaged for one reason or another, it is important to bring them to your dentist as soon as possible. It is best to not preform fixes on the damaged dentures because it may cause them to break even more. Also, you should not continue to wear warped dentures because they can create sores on your inner cheeks and gums. As pricey as it may be, it’s best to send your false teeth to your dentist to ensure quality denture repair. If you still find you’re experiencing discomfort after the repairs are finished, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Precautionary measures you could take to ensure your dentures do not damage are to avoid participating in sports that can cause your teeth to be hit, or anything that would result in a blow to the jaw. Your dentures may even break in less assuming places, like when you go to clean them. So, it is a good idea to leave a towel in your sink while they are removed from your mouth, so they have a padded fall.
Investing in a quality denture is a major step in ensuring your false teeth will last long and be durable. In the long run, spending money on a value teeth replacement will allow you to worry less about their ability and repairs. If you’re interested in dentures, or you have a pair of dentures that have cracked or chipped, set up a consultation with your dentist. If you have any questions regarding dentures, this is the perfect time to bring it up to your dentist and their staff. They will also be able to inform you on tips and tricks to keeping them sparkling.