Losing a tooth can be downright devastating, especially if the lost tooth is in the front of your mouth! But teeth do a lot more than just look great; they’re essential for eating, talking, and keeping our facial structure whole. That’s why it’s crucial to replace all your missing teeth, not just the ones in the front. By replacing your missing teeth, you’ll be able to speak clearly, get the proper nutrition because you can eat crunchy foods, eat the crunchy foods you love, keep your jawbone stimulated, improve your confidence, and reduce your chances of gum disease. With all the benefits, replacing your missing teeth is a clear choice.
Causes of Missing Teeth
There are many reasons why you might be missing teeth, and many people do. Estimates say that around 120 million Americans miss one tooth, and 36 million Americans miss all their teeth. Reasons for missing teeth range from genetics to smoking cigarettes. Read the most common reasons for losing teeth below.
- Age: Age is a common factor for tooth loss, but it doesn’t have to be. It comes down to your tooth enamel. Enamel is the thin protective layer covering your dentin and pulp (inner layers of your tooth) and is irreplaceable. Once your enamel is gone, it’s gone for life. Things like sugar and acid eat away at our enamel; that’s why oral hygiene is so important! In many seniors, oral hygiene may not have been a priority, or a good diet may have been lacking, which will cause teeth to decay and fall out.
- Gum disease: Gum disease or periodontal disease is the top reason for tooth loss. Gum disease eats away at your teeth and bone until, eventually, your teeth will fall out. You might notice the early stages of gum disease by the telltale bleeding gums, but as it progresses, it’s unmistakable. You’ll start to feel pain, and your teeth and bone will become brittle.
- Injury: This one is self-explanatory. Maybe you lost a tooth because you didn’t catch the baseball before it hit your face or because while juggling the baby and your car keys, your child got excited and smashed their head into your face. Either way, injuries, and accidents happen.
- Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene leads to gum disease. A whopping 26% of adults in the US have tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene.
- Poor nutrition: Your teeth are bones, but they have living parts inside of them that need proper nutrition. Poor nutrition can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can increase your risk of tooth loss because many people with diabetes also struggle with gum disease.
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become brittle and fragile with a lack of vitamins. This means your teeth, too!
Preventing Missing Teeth
Preventing tooth loss is easier than you think. First and foremost, make sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing once per day, using mouthwash, and visiting your Anchorage dentist two per year. If you make oral hygiene part of your nightly and morning routines, it doesn’t have to be a chore, and it can help you feel better and refreshed too!
Additionally, it’s a good idea to wear a mouth guard if you’re playing any contact sports. Although, accidents happen! That’s where we come in.
You can also prevent tooth loss by eating a nutritious diet and drinking lots of water. You’ll be less likely to lose teeth if other things arise, like diabetes, if your diet is healthy for your teeth in the first place.
Tooth Replacement, Anchorage, AK
If you do find yourself with missing teeth, fear not! At the office of Dr. Richard Crosby, you can have your missing teeth replaced and look good as new again. You can replace just one tooth, a whole arch, or an entire mouth of teeth. Dr. Crosby will consult with you and advise you on which tooth replacement option is best for your health, lifestyle, and budget. Contact Dr. Crosby today to replace your missing teeth in Anchorage, AK.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best option to replace your missing teeth. They check all the boxes.
- Look and feel like natural teeth
- Permanently in your mouth
- Don’t require any extra cleaning habits
- Last for a lifetime
- Prevent bone loss by stimulating your jawbone (therefore keeping your facial structure!)
- Eat and drink your favorite foods without fear
- Easy talking and easy chewing
- Can replace one tooth or all your teeth
With benefits like these, it’s hard to see why anyone would choose a different option. Even though they require the most money up front, you’ll end up paying less in the long run because they are the most durable and attractive option on the market. The only downside of dental implants is they require surgery, but we think the benefits far outweigh the cost.
Dentures
Dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth. Their benefits are listed below.
- Replace missing teeth quickly
- Low-cost option
- Can be natural looking (if you get high-end dentures)
- It does not require surgery
Sometimes, dentures are the best option for people, especially if you have a condition that doesn’t allow surgery. That’s why we carry various products to suit our patient’s needs. Our favorite is Fountain of Youth Dentures. Fountain of Youth Dentures are natural-looking, made specifically for your mouth, comfortable, and make you look younger. You can get full or partial dentures, depending on your needs. Talking with Dr. Crosby will help you decide which type of dentures are best for you.
The downside of dentures is that they’re less secure than dental implants; they need to be taken out and soaked every night, they don’t stimulate your jawbone, and you’ll have to relearn how to chew and speak easily with them in.
Hybrid Implant Dentures
Hybrid implant dentures are another fantastic tooth replacement option. This option is exactly what it sounds like, implants support your dentures.
- Requires only 4 dental implants per arch of teeth
- Prevents denture slippage
- Natural-looking
- Lower cost than getting all dental implants
- Stimulate jawbone
These are sometimes called implant-supported dentures. They are fixed permanently to the four dental implants that hold them in place, and only your Anchorage implant dentist can remove them. This means no soaking your teeth at night. Just take care of them how you usually would, although you need to be more diligent to ensure that no food or bacteria get underneath your dentures.
Replacing Missing Teeth in Anchorage, AK
If you’re looking for the best restorative dentist in Anchorage, AK, turn to Dr. Richard Crosby. Dr. Crosby is an experienced restorative dentist and can help you choose the right option to replace your missing teeth. Call (907) 277-1098 today or make an appointment online.
