How Tooth Loss Affects the Mind and Body

It is a common misconception that losing our teeth as we age is an inevitability. In fact, practicing proper oral hygiene can help ensure that your teeth last an entire lifetime. That means brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, along with visiting the dentist every six months for a professional exam and cleaning. Without practicing proper oral hygiene, tooth decay is allowed to wreak havoc. Decay is the leading cause of gum disease and tooth loss. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has linked tooth loss with memory issues and a decline in the ability to walk.

A decline in mental and physical function was shown to be particularly high in adults 60-74 years of age who had experienced tooth loss. When tests of memory and walking speed were administered to participants in this age range, those who had none of their teeth left scored ten percent worse in both tests than those who still had at least some of their teeth left. It was found that a common cause of tooth loss was tied to socioeconomic factors such as wealth and education levels.

Losing teeth can also affect your confidence, as well as your ability to eat and speak properly. If you have been unfortunate enough to have lost one or more teeth, it is important that you replace them with dental implants. Dental implants will improve the aesthetical appearance of your smile, and they will make eating and speaking much easier as well.

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