Tooth loss is a very serious oral health issue, that has immediate aesthetic consequences. However, the effect of tooth loss extends far beyond what we can see. Keep reading to learn more from our Santa Monica dentists.
Immediate Aesthetic Effects
The first thing that many people think of when they consider tooth loss is the visual effect it creates. A noticeable hole in your smile can really change how you view yourself—our team finds that many patients dealing with tooth loss battle self-esteem issues as a result. Restorative treatment can give you a smile you love again.
Destabilization of Surrounding Smile
All of our individual teeth help to keep adjacent and neighboring teeth in place. As you can imagine, when one of these teeth is removed, your entire row of top or bottom teeth can shift as a result.
Potential Degradation of Tissue
Teeth are also embedded in your gum tissue and your jawbone. Your tooth roots work in harmony with these foundational layers. When a tooth falls out, the resultant hole in your smile extends all the way into your gums and jawbone. Without a tooth root, your jawbone tissue will begin to break down and weaken. This is why dental implants are so beneficial—they replace the invisible tooth root as well as the visible dental crown.
Superhighway For Bacteria
Every part of your smile—your teeth, gums, jawbone tissue—can become infected by harmful oral bacteria. If you lose a tooth, the hole in which your tooth used to sit can provide direct access for dental debris and bacteria to reach your gums and jawbone. This problem is compounded because many patients find it particularly difficult to keep these spaces clean.
Don’t let tooth loss destroy your dental health. Give our Santa Monica dental implant dentists a call to schedule a consultation with our team.