Losing teeth is traumatic, and many people remember it long after it has happened. The tragedy is not the pain that occurs during the tooth loss process as this is often painless, but the fact that most of the time, the tooth loss process is often ignored remains with many people for years. Unfortunately, many people overlook the impact of tooth loss once it has happened. Many times, serious consequences result from tooth loss and people trying to make do without them. Some people have trouble wearing dentures and even getting implants after tooth loss that they get accustomed to eating without them. While some may even get used to operating this way, the consequences can be dire. The effects of teeth loss are life-altering and should not be taken for granted.

Possibilities that Arise with Teeth Loss

Usually, teeth loss occurs due to various reasons, including aging, disease, decay, congenital disability, and sometimes having teeth removed. Unfortunately, the aftermath of teeth loss can be dire regardless of how it happened. Some expected consequences include:

  • Jaw bone mass loss
  • Teeth misalignment
  • Diet change
  • Difficulty in speech
  • Facial appearance changes

The effect of teeth loss can be permanent and thus affect one’s life for good. Therefore, it helps to understand how to take the right action when the time comes. Below are some of the different ways teeth loss affects one’s life.

Teeth Loss Effect on Jaw and Gums

Attempting to chew without teeth exerts a lot of pressure on your jaw and gums to ensure that the food is chewed correctly to enhance swallowing. As a result, your jaw and gums get worn out and sore due to the impact of chewing, even when you have dentures. Consequently, such individuals develop gum infections and other diseases. Therefore, one may argue that they will stick to soft foods.

However, purees and such foods are not meant to be eaten for short periods, such as when allowing the tissue to heal after a procedure such as a tooth extraction. Failing to resume regular diets means no pressure is exerted on the jawbone. With time, the jaw bone weakens and becomes more susceptible to fractures and other complications that you don’t want. Ensure you find a way of fixing this and resuming your ordinary diet to ensure the jaw bone remains strong.

What’s more, your teeth, jawbone, and gums all play a significant role in defining your facial structure and unique facial features. When your teeth are un-restored, they prompt bone loss and may alter your speech, which in turn affects your self-confidence. It could also affect your diet interfere with social, personal, and professional life, not forgetting that it could also interfere with your health.

Tooth Loss and Aging

Regardless of whether one lost teeth due to an injury or infection, the bone in that affected area no longer stimulates natural chewing and will thus start shrinking almost immediately. By the time a year passes, there is a possibility that a massive bone loss will have occurred. Unfortunately, bone deterioration sticks to the area underneath the lost tooth and can even spread to the healthy teeth with the postponed tooth replacement. As a result, further tooth loss happens, making things worse.

This explains how losing one tooth can quickly accelerate the loss of other teeth and lead to fast gaining. Unfortunately, most people never realize aging is due to teeth loss because facial changes happen gradually. However, the skin around the chin and jaw starts sagging, and the cheeks around it start sinking. Prevention and taking immediate action is the only way to help reverse the effects of aging whenever you lose a tooth. Make sure to reach out to the dentist when tooth loss occurs.