Don’t Let Missing Teeth Limit Your Lifestyle
Few incidents have greater impact on a person's dental health and personal appearance than tooth loss. When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can drift out of position which can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and even gum disease.
Your teeth work together to help you chew, speak, sing and smile. When you lack teeth, it can be difficult to do these things. The loss of a back tooth for example may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. More importantly, though, your dental health may suffer when missing teeth are not replaced. Teeth were designed to compliment each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space, placing unusual stress on both the teeth and the tissues in your mouth. In addition, the gum tissues and the bone which hold teeth in place can break down, increasing the risk of gum disease.
Teeth that have "tipped" are difficult to clean, making them more susceptible to decay with the result that even more teeth may be lost.
Chewing on only one side may cause stress to your mouth. You also need your teeth to speak properly because they help you make the many different sounds needed in speech.
Fortunately today, you can restore your oral health and your smile by replacing missing teeth with a bridge. Your appearance, dental health and the proper functioning of your mouth are all reasons for placing a bridge. A bridge can help to maintain the natural shape of your face and may help support your lips and cheeks, thus safeguarding your appearance.
A bridge replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. There are two types of bridges, fixed and removable. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by the dentist, whereas a removable bridge can be taken out for cleaning. Removable bridges while less expensive, are not generally as stable and may therefore be less desirable.
If you have a bridge it's very Important to keep your remaining teeth healthy. A bridge can lose it's support if the teeth or bone that hold it in place become damaged by dental disease.
Keep your gums and remaining teeth In good shape by brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly for those all important check-ups. Your dental health and your appearance are well worth the effort.
April 12, 2010Dental News0
