As you get older, it becomes more important to live your best life. Whether that means retiring early, prioritizing your family over work, or taking time to travel or purse your passions, you deserve to enjoy your life in whatever way that makes sense to you. But what happens when your past choices make it harder to not just enjoy your life to its fullest, but to live a longer, healthier life? If you’re missing one or more teeth, you could not only be experiencing a diminished ability to enjoy eating a wide range of foods, but you could also be taking years off your life without even realizing it. Here’s how replacing lost teeth with dental implants can fix this.
Missing Teeth and Lifespan
Did you know that heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the United States, and that people missing five or more teeth by the age of 65 are more likely to develop it? In fact, heart disease can decrease your life expectancy by about eight to ten percent! Gum disease, which can be a contributing factor in heart disease, accounts for approximately 30 to 35 percent of tooth loss, making it the number one cause of this problem in adults. Thus, taking care of your gums and replacing those lost teeth can not only help prevent further damage to your mouth, but it can even help extend your life!
Other Benefits of Replacing Lost Teeth with Dental Implants
In addition to helping to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, replacing lost teeth with dental implants has many other benefits, including:
- Restored chewing capabilities which enable you to eat a healthier diet
- Prevention of bone deterioration in the jaw
- Restored speaking abilities that may have been diminished due to lost teeth
- Improved self-esteem / social confidence
Next Steps
So, how can you tell if you have gum disease? Look out for:
- Red, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth
- Receding gums around the base of your teeth
- Exposed dentin at the gum line
- Tooth sensitivity
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak to your dentist about being screened for gum disease. Often, early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed, however periodontitis can only be treated. This could require anything from antibiotics to gum surgery or a bone graft procedure if you have lost any teeth.
Once your gum disease is under control, your dentist can help determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. These restorations are a durable, natural-looking, permanent solution to lost teeth that can help restore your smile, confidence, chewing capabilities, and help reduce your risk of bone deterioration and many serious medical conditions like heart disease.
Remember, gum disease and lost teeth can decrease your quality of life as well as your lifespan. If you are missing one or more, speak to your dentist about the benefits of replacing them with dental implants.
About Dr. Kirby
Dr. James Kirby enjoys bringing the smile back to his patients’ faces with the help of dental implants. But he also knows that replacing lost teeth is about more than just appearances: it’s about your oral and overall health, too.
If you’re interested in protecting yourself from dangerous medical conditions like heart disease and bone loss due to missing teeth, schedule an appointment for a dental implant consultation at Green Hills Dental Center today by visiting our website or calling us at 615-327-2123.