It almost goes without saying that lacking teeth affects your smile. When your pearly whites go missing, your grin doesn’t look as good as before. That said, did you know that tooth loss can change the shape of your face? Leaving your smile gaps untreated will make you seem older than you really are. Read on to learn more about the problem, including how dental implants from your Lancaster dentist can prevent and reverse it.
Without Teeth, Your Jawbone Erodes
Losing teeth does make your smile look bad and work poorly; that isn’t in question. Still, the issue can also degrade your face’s shape if it isn’t addressed quickly.
You see, your jaw needs all your teeth to maintain its shape and density. The stimuli from chewing and biting help preserve the jawbone’s tissue. To that extent, losing just one or two teeth will cause your jawbone to slowly erode and shrink. This process can then lead to a facial collapse – a condition that makes your cheeks look hollow and sunken.
Dental Implants: The Solution to an Aged Face
The good news is that dental implants prevent and reverse this erosion. Since they don’t work like dentures or dental bridges, they keep your face from changing shape.
Remember: dental implants actually fuse with the jawbone. Once placed in the jaw, new bone tissue grows around the posts to keep them secure and stable. That means implants can act as substitute tooth roots and provide the stimuli your jawbone needs. By chewing and biting with them, your face will become (or stay) fuller and firmer than it’d be otherwise.
How to Care for Dental Implants
All that said, dental implants only prevent facial collapse when they get proper care. You’ll need to maintain them if you want your face to look youthful. Given that fact, please use the tips below:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Dental implants don’t decay, but they’ll still fail if adjacent teeth and gums get infected. Make sure to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash often.
- Avoid Bad Oral Habits – You may chip your dental implants (or cause them to fail) if you chew on ice or fingernails. Similarly, smoking tobacco could cause a case of gum disease that leads to implant failure.
- Get Dental Checkups – Your dentist can reduce your risk of dental implant failure with six-month checkups and cleanings. Through these visits, they’ll diagnose and treat your minor oral issues before big ones harm your new teeth.
Tooth loss can change the shape of your face, but you still should lose hope. Consult your dental provider about dental implants – they’ll make your face young and vibrant again!
About the Practice
Dentistry for Life is based in Lancaster, PA, and is led by Drs. Herres and Votilla. Here at our practice, we strive to give each patient the best possible dental care! That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, all tailored to your smile and its unique needs. Our team can even replace missing teeth with great and lifelike prosthetics. For more information or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (862)-260-4116.