The Importance of Teeth for Bone Health

When one or more teeth are missing, it can lead to bone loss at the site. This loss of bone can develop into problems with your remaining teeth and the inability to speak and eat normally.

In that same way that muscles are maintained through exercise, bone is maintained by function. Natural teeth are embedded in the bone.  Teeth stimulate the bone through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the bone no longer receives the necessary stimulation, and begins to resorb and deteriorate.

Potential Consequences of Tooth Loss

• Problems with remaining teeth, including, misalignment, drifting, loosening and loss
• Collapsed facial profile
• Limited lip support
• Skin wrinkling around the mouth
• Distortion of other facial features
• Jaw (temporomandibular joint TMJ) pain, facial pain, and headaches
• Difficulty speaking and communicating
• Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
• Sinus enlargement