If you’ve ever lost a permanent tooth, chances are you have some strong feelings about it. Even losing a tooth from a hidden area in your mouth can make it harder to chew and speak, not to mention take a toll on your self-esteem. If you’re missing one or more teeth, here’s how replacing them with dental implants can benefit not just your oral health, but your mental health, too!
The Importance of Smiling
Even if you don’t consider yourself a smiley person, when you lose the ability to do so confidently it can harm your self-esteem. Smiling not only conveys warmth, friendliness, and happiness, but it also can boost your mood. In fact, studies have shown that even faking a smile can instantly elevate your emotions because when you do it releases chemicals in your brain responsible for pleasure.
When you’re insecure about your teeth, you may be less likely to share your grin with the world. You may find yourself covering your mouth or simply not smiling at all. This can make you more likely to avoid social interactions which could hurt you professionally, personally, and of course, emotionally.
Other Problems Associated with Missing Teeth
In addition to insecurities about your smile that could affect your mental health, missing permanent teeth can also cause other problems. When you don’t have a full set of teeth you may avoid eating certain foods, causing your nutrition to suffer. Furthermore, improperly chewing your food can cause you to swallow larger pieces, increasing your odds of indigestion and acid reflux.
Another issue many people don’t realize can occur is speech difficulties. When you speak, your tongue relies on the ability to touch your teeth to pronounce certain words correctly. When you are missing even one, you may struggle to enunciate properly, which can cause misunderstandings, embarrassment, and frustration.
Finally, gaps in your arch can cause damage to your remaining teeth and your jawbone. This is because your real teeth provide constant stimulation that keeps your other teeth and bones healthy. When you are missing even just one, this stimulation decreases, and your jawbone begins to deteriorate. If left untreated this can require a bone graft to repair. It can also cause your remaining teeth to fall out, even if they’re otherwise healthy.
Remember, your smile may not seem important, but it conveys so much more than happiness. If you are missing teeth, don’t let insecurities prevent you from living your best life. Speak to your dentist about dental implants today.
About Our Practice
At Frandsen Dental of Orem, we understand how important it is to smile. That’s why we offer a variety of dental treatments to improve the function and appearance of your teeth and gums. If you’re missing teeth, it can take its toll on your oral, mental, and overall health but durable, natural-looking dental implants can help. If you’re interested in learning more about these fantastic prosthetics, speak to your dentist today about your options.
To schedule a consultation for dental implants, please visit our website or call us today at 801-224-7900.