Reasons To Visit A Prosthodontist After Tooth Loss
Smiling does more than turn a frown upside down. In fact, there is a certain level of science behind your smile that can promote a healthier you. For instance, research shows that smiling can release reduce stress and anxiety, release endorphins to help improve your mood, and even reduce pain. That is why tooth loss can affect more than your appearance. It can also affect your mental health. Fortunately, a visit to a prosthodontist can help.
Why a Prosthodontist?
After experiencing tooth loss, a trip to your dentist may seem in order. While it is always good to visit your dentist, a prosthodontist specializes in the treatment of tooth loss. In fact, a prosthodontist undergoes an additional 36 months of training to learn procedures such as:
- Dental crowns
- Dental bridges
- Dentures (full and partial)
- Dental implants
Because of the additional training they receive, it is often highly recommended that you book an appointment with a prosthodontist to address tooth loss.
Common Causes of Tooth Loss
Before you fret over tooth loss, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Approximately 36 million people living in the United States live with total tooth loss and roughly 120 million people have at least one tooth missing. Common reasons for tooth loss include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Irregular or non-existent visits to a dentist
- Failure to address decaying teeth
- Lack of proper nutrition
- Dental trauma
- Bruxism (grinding of the teeth)
- Failure to address tooth loss (can cause a chain reaction leading to more tooth loss)
- Improper treatment of malocclusions (teeth that are not well aligned)
- Smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol
- Diabetes
- Aging
Even with proper dental health treatment, aging can sometimes lead to tooth loss.
Restoring Your Smile
Fortunately, tooth loss does not have to be a permanent problem. Although you cannot regrow your teeth, a prosthodontist can help you find solutions to restore your smile. Options range from dentures to dental implants. Whether you have lost one tooth, most of your teeth, or all your teeth, there are options available to help revive your smile.
No one should have to suffer the mental anguish of a poor smile. Smiling is often your first way to make a good impression on someone. It is also something that help you feel better about yourself. Hiding your smile simply so you won't be embarrassed by missing teeth can cause depression and anxiety. Rather than allowing your mental health to slide, it is recommended that you contact a prosthodontist near you.
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