Welcome back to Eastside Comprehensive Dentistry in Issaquah, WA! While many patients seek our help to restore the beauty to their smiles, correcting for imperfections of the smile confer benefits that go well beyond the aesthetic. Indeed, treatments like dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, and laser dentistry can also be beneficial for your health by helping to prevent further oral health problems. We’d like to take this opportunity to share with you and our other readers some information on how a smile restoration can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Tooth Imperfections and Your Health
Dental implants, removable dentures, and dental bridges are possible treatments for tooth loss and extensive tooth decay. Replacing a missing tooth is not just about revitalizing your smile’s luster and brilliance; it also has to do with protecting your dental health. A lost tooth can create a large gap in your teeth, which can attract excessive deposits of plaque and bacteria. These spaces in your smile can be difficult to clean, as they require additional attention to make sure all food particles are adequately swept out. Poor oral hygiene can result in periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other dental health complications.
Tooth loss can also lead to jawbone deterioration if left untreated. When you eat, drink, or speak, your jaw receives the exercise it needs to stay strong and healthy. As your mouth moves, your teeth transmit the pressure and force of the workout down to the jawbone, which in turn strains and tears the bone tissue. This stimulates a process of bone regeneration, as the jaw repairs itself and heals. When a tooth falls out or is no longer adequate as a result of decay, the affected area of the jaw may not receive the physical stress it requires and the bone tissue can begin to weaken and deteriorate. Keep in mind that the jawbone acts like a frame, giving shape to your face. A depreciated jawline can cause facial deformation and the skin around the jawline may begin to wrinkle, which can make you look older than you really are.
Periodontal, or gum, disease can also significantly worsen if left untreated. A bacterial infection, gum disease can develop into gingivitis or periodontitis. This latter health problem can further manifest itself in the form of bone and tooth loss. Gum-related dental issues can be prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene and, if you experience these diseases, they can be easily treated at our Issaquah, WA office. Eastside Comprehensive Dentistry offers several periodontic treatments, including scaling, root planning, and laser dentistry.
Medical studies have found that those who suffer from poor dental health are more likely to experience significant general health problems. For example, people with a periodontal infection are twice as likely to contract heart disease. Likewise, deteriorating oral wellbeing is also associated with a greater probability of mental illness and it can negatively affect a woman’s ability to conceive. While many of these links have yet to be fully explored, the evidence convincingly shows that keeping adequate oral hygiene is an important facet of maintaining a healthy body overall.
Learn More About Health Advantages of Restorative Dentistry
At Eastside Comprehensive Dentistry we can draw on our time-tested expertise to help you achieve a beautiful smile you’ll be proud to show off. The benefits of cosmetic and restorative dentistry are not all about the aesthetics of a stunning first impression, however. There are important health advantages to seeking treatment for missing teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease. If you would like to learn more about how Eastside Comprehensive Dentistry can help you remain strong and healthy, contact our Issaquah, WA office to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Kelley Fisher!