Tooth Loss: What Happens When I Lose a Tooth?

Have you lost multiple teeth or are at risk for losing one or more teeth? Sometimes an accident or rampant disease can result in a lost tooth and be a huge blow to your self-esteem. For our patients in Pleasanton, CA we encourage them to address their tooth loss as soon as possible. If not, results such as the ones listed below could arise and negatively impact your overall health, and how dental implants can help.

Speech and Eating

When you lose a tooth, it can affect the way you chew and speak. Some patients find it more difficult to eat their favorite foods or are embarrassed if they have a lisp and misspeak as a result of their lost tooth.

When you receive a dental implant, filling the space with a viable tooth replacement can improve your comfort with speaking and eating. Dental implants are strong enough to fill the gap in your smile and restore your bite.

Self-Esteem

When our patients have lost a tooth, it can be a blow to your self-esteem. Some of our patients have admitted to being afraid of leaving the house or of socializing with friends or family, for fear of being judged for their missing teeth. One study linked tooth loss to serious condition such as depression or anxiety, and one other study had subjects admitting that they felt like they had lost a limb when they lost their teeth. Because our smiles are as a part of us as our limbs, it’s easy to see how losing your teeth could affect you.

Overall Health Effects

If you have lost a tooth to disease, it’s often an indication that your overall bodily health may not be in the best shape either. The mouth is the gateway to your health, and nowadays doctors will check the state of your mouth as an indication of what’s going on inside. To them, bad breath could mean something else entirely from simply neglecting to brush twice a day.

Without a tooth replacement, the spot where you lost a tooth could weaken and lead to facial collapse. Some patients may consider this to be even more unsightly their lost teeth. By letting your jawbone weaken and become susceptible to infection or disease, it could spell trouble for your bodily health down the road.

Costly to Heal

The longer you wait to replace your tooth, the more damage could be done in the long run. It can be costly to replace multiple teeth and improve your oral health if treatment is issued later rather than sooner. We understand that the cost of dental implants may hinder your decision on treatment, but know that at Amador Dental and Orthodontic we want our patients to have access to financing options to help offset the burden of cost. Contact us for more information on financing dental implants.

Take Your First Step Today

The solution to your tooth loss is not as far away as you think, especially if you live in Pleasanton, CA. Contact us today at Pleasanton Prosthodontics to learn more about dental implants and what they can do for you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chao and discover for yourself if dental implants are best for you and your smile.