English
Your teeth are strong and perform some different essential functions every single day. Taking proper care of your teeth is imperative to ensure that your teeth remain strong and healthy. Ignoring your oral care routine, whether you occasionally skip a brushing session here and there, forgo flossing, or miss out on your regular dental cleanings and exams, can all lead to a much greater risk for developing tooth decay and gum disease. These issues, when they go untreated, can ultimately lead to tooth loss. When you lose your teeth, the functions of those teeth are also lost.
The Ability To Chew Thoroughly
One of the most basic functions of your teeth is biting and chewing. Chewing is the crucial first stage of digestion, breaking down the foods you eat so that the nutrients in those foods can be absorbed by the body later. When you lose your teeth, the ability to chew is greatly affected. When you cannot thoroughly chew your food, you do not completely break it down. This means that the body has to work harder to get at the nutrients in those foods. Even if you eat a well-balanced diet, you can still suffer from malnutrition.
The Ability To Speak Properly
Your teeth are responsible for controlling airflow when you speak. This enables you to say a wide variety of words and sounds. Tooth loss enables air to flow freely, which can lead to a lisp, which can be embarrassing. The more teeth you lose, the harder it becomes to speak properly, which makes communication difficult. You may find that you have to repeat yourself several times just to ask or answer a question and avoid miscommunication.
The Ability To Maintain Jaw Health
The teeth are also essential for maintaining the health of your jaw. When you chew, the roots of your teeth stimulate the jawbone. This stimulation sends a message to your body, and your body responds by sending essential nutrients that are necessary for the health and strength of the bone. When you lose your teeth, there is less stimulation. This means that the message to your body is weakened. As a result, fewer nutrients are sent to your jaw. Over time, the jaw begins to grow weak and eventually changes shape. When this happens, several other issues arise, including misalignment, bruxism, and TMJ disorder.
Tooth loss affects every function of your mouth, which also significantly affects your quality of life. Replacing missing teeth is essential. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Peninsula Center of Cosmetic Dentistry today at (650) 948-5524.