When you look in the mirror at your pearly whites, you know healthy teeth are essential for biting and chewing, but did you know they are important for several other things? Believe it or not, you may not realize what teeth do until you’ve experienced tooth loss. Here are 4 amazing facts about your smile that wouldn’t be possible without your teeth.
1. Pronouncing Words
You might think your lips and tongue are responsible for allowing you to pronounce words clearly; however, they also interact with your teeth. They work together to form different consonants and vowels to communicate effectively. If you lose even a single tooth, you’ll have to work harder to create certain sounds, like /t/, /f/, and /v/.
2. Preserves Your Bone Structure
Every single tooth is crucial to keeping your jawbone strong and healthy. The roots of your teeth trigger your body to reinforce the bone. If even one tooth is lost, your jawbone will not be stimulated in the area, causing it to slowly deteriorate. Over time, your remaining teeth won’t have the support they need to stay in place. As they drift out of alignment, you develop an added risk of cavities, gum disease, and additional tooth loss. The more teeth you lose, the more your jawbone’s density will decrease. As a result, your facial tissues won’t have adequate support, which can cause wrinkles and sagging skin. Thankfully, a dental implant can mimic a natural tooth because it replaces both the root and crown to maintain your bone structure.
3. Saliva Production
Saliva is an asset to your oral health because it keeps your mouth moist to lower the likeliness of harmful bacteria accumulations. Your teeth provide a barrier for your saliva. While your lips can also stop drooling, you’ll have to make a conscious effort to prevent it from dribbling out. Besides keeping your saliva in your mouth, your teeth also encourage its production through the act of chewing. It stimulates the salivary glands to release certain enzymes to help pre-digest your food to support your gastrointestinal tract.
4. Smiling
Research shows the appearance of your teeth directly influences your self-esteem. If you have an incomplete smile, you’ll likely avoid showing your teeth. In some cases, the severity of your self-consciousness can affect your happiness, causing you to limit your social engagements. A complete, beautiful smile boosts your confidence and overall outlook on life.
Protect Your Smile from Tooth Loss
Your teeth can affect your quality of life and general wellness in several ways. You can keep tooth loss at bay by caring for your smile at home and visiting your dentist regularly.
About Dr. Randell Nameth
Dr. Nameth earned his dental degree from the Ohio State University and regularly continues his training annually. Since 1984, he has provided exceptional dental care to prevent and treat oral health problems. If you’ve suffered tooth loss, he can rebuild a beautiful, functional smile. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.