Think of the perfect image of a tiny old woman in a headscarf. She probably has that sunken face look that symbolizes missing teeth, doesn’t she? As you age your chances of losing teeth due to decay, trauma, gum disease, and other oral health issues continues to increase. For many people the assumption that tooth loss is inevitable is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be!
At New Albany Implants we aim to keep your mouth healthy for your entire lifetime. We encourage patients to develop good oral health habits starting at an early age and continuing those habits for a lifetime! It’s unfortunate to think about, but that old woman with missing teeth is at a severe risk for early death.
That’s right – your teeth have a direct correlation to your health as you grow older!
Oral Health And Aging: How Are You Doing?
If you’ve been seeing a dentist for years you might be growing tired of the same old spiel: brush twice a day, floss in the evenings, and see us every six months! It sounds repetitive and it might just be a trick to get you to make frequent visits, right? Well, your teeth are even more important than changing your oil every 3,000 miles and regular professional maintenance is essential!
Studies show that patients practicing good home oral health care habits and getting regular cleanings and exams have better oral health and longer life expectancies than those who don’t! How much longer, you ask?
- Skipping your daily flossing increases risk of death by 30%
- Avoiding six-month cleanings and exams increases your risk of death by 30 – 50%
- Never brushing at night increases your risk of death by 20 – 35%
- Having 20 teeth or less increases risk of death by 30%
Those are some staggeringly large figures, especially with over five percent of people ages 20 to 64 lacking most of their teeth! Unfortunately, those numbers decline as people age, leaving less and less older Americans alive who have lost teeth – even with dentures you’re still at an increased risk of early death!
Prolong Your Life By Protecting Your Teeth!
One of the major reasons why people with missing teeth have shorter life spans is because of their inability to get proper nutrition. Missing teeth, and even dentures sometimes, make eating difficult and result in poor nutrition, poor health, and sickness!
In the event that you do lose one or more teeth you should know that we can help you regain your full ability to eat, chew, smile, and talk without difficulty! We aren’t talking about dentures – we’re talking about dental implants!
Dental implants are small titanium screws that are placed right where your missing teeth were. They fill the same role as a natural tooth root and are the best way to regain your normal oral function, ability to eat, and stay healthy for years to come!
Our dental implants can be placed in a single appointment, and once healed are restored with an amazing zirconia crown or bridge. And we don’t just do single-tooth implants: we do multiples all the way up to a full mouth of missing teeth!
The risks to your longevity that come with missing teeth are largely due to changes in behavior, diet, and other lifestyle changes that come along with your lack of teeth! Implants restore natural function, feel great, and look beautiful! You’ll be smiling bright for years to come!
It’s Up To You!
Start practicing good oral health care habits now! Brush in the morning and evening for at least two minutes, floss between each tooth, and make sure you come to see us in New Albany, Indiana for regular six-month cleanings and exams!
To schedule an appointment at New Albany Implants, call our office at (812) 945-7645! You can also request an appointment by filling out our online form. We look forward to seeing you soon!