Eating Without Teeth

We spend a lot of time talking about how to care for your teeth, and about best practices when it comes to brushing and flossing. While we talk about tooth health, we rarely discuss why having healthy teeth is so important or how toothlessness can negatively impact an individual—both socially and emotionally. 

Teeth do more than just help us eat! They create the image that others judge you by at first sight, and are directly linked to our sense of self-confidence and self-worth. Those of us who experience tooth loss have higher levels of anxiety and depression, in addition to other physical struggles such as speech problems. Read on to learn about the struggles associated with tooth loss and about options like dentures or dental implants that are designed to address these issues. 

Physical problems due to toothlessness  

When most people are asked what the biggest hurdle is for people with tooth loss, the usual answer is the inability to eat certain foods. One of the largest issues with eating and tooth loss is that healthy foods are some of the hardest to eat without a full set of teeth. Easier-to-consume soft foods are sometimes times filled with sugar and preservatives that speed up tooth decay and can lead to addition periodontal disease.  

Another side effect of tooth loss is decreased appetite. Tooth loss can damage your sensory inputs which influences food preferences. Foods and textures that you previously enjoyed become unappetizing. That, along with pain from eating without teeth, and many patients consume less food over time—which negatively impacts their health. 

For those with tooth loss on one side of the mouth, problems can occur to the healthy teeth on the other side from overuse. Constantly chewing with the same teeth can cause structural issues to the teeth and gums. 

In addition to eating, tooth loss also commonly leads to bone deterioration in the jaw, which can change the aesthetic makeup of a face. To remain healthy and whole, bones need stimulation. If you avoid chewing on one side of the mouth due to tooth loss, the jaw bone will weaken and lose density. Many people with tooth loss look perpetually unhappy due to the sag of their face that results from this lack of bone structure. And as the bones under the gum and in the jaw begin to lose volume, speech and the ability to chew (along with future tooth loss) are likely.  

Options for toothlessness  

The negative consequences of toothlessness cause most people to explore dental implants or denatures. First, dental implants are available for almost anyone who has lost any teeth; however, eligible patients are normally over 18 years old. Manufactured from titanium, implants are built to bond with the bone during the healing process. The benefits of implants are that they look and function like natural teeth and their presence helps maintain the structure of the jaw and the face. Having a sturdy tooth allows for chewing and muscle development, too, and prevents sagging. Some patients choose to explore dentures which, unlike implants, are removable. Depending on the health of your mouth and the extent of tooth loss, dentures can replace all your teeth or can be placed over remaining teeth. While dentures have come a long way, some patients still complain about them feeling awkward or unstable in the mouth. However, just like implants, dentures can restore your smile and bring structure back to your face.  

Tooth loss can be devastating to patients due to a loss in self-confidence, difficulty eating, and structural changes to the face. If you are suffering tooth loss and don’t know where to turn, our office can help you evaluate your options and great a plan to move forward. Don’t let your quality of life decrease due to toothlessness. If you do have concerns or questions, you know to call these experts at Josey Lane Dentistry!