"Roaming 279" asked:
Carolyn, would you agree that taking care of one's teeth also helps keep the facial skin/shape young?
Oh boy, does it ever!!!!
<img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />Did you know that actresses in the 1930's and 1940's used to have their molars (back teeth) removed to give their cheeks a more hollow appearance and accentuate their cheekbones?
It may look glamorous when you're young, but as you age it just looks "old".
<img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />Having missing teeth wreeks havoc on your appearance. Even if no one can see what's missing (as in back teeth), all kinds of things start to go wrong, and it's like a row of dominoes toppling.
First, the part of the jaw that served to anchor the missing tooth or teeth begins to shrink ("resorb") and the more teeth you lose, the more bone loss you experience. This creates a "shrunken" framework over which your lips and cheeks are draped, which in turn causes the "hollow" look I described above.
<img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />Next, surrounding teeth start to shift. Mainly, the ones behind tip over into the space. Teeth opposite (above or below) may start to erupt ("grow" out of the socket). If this happens, they often keep moving til they hit something, even if it's the gums below or above.
Now you've got gaps, tipped teeth, and "overerupted" teeth.
<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />I used to tell my patients to picture a nice, strong picket fence. Then, imagine taking out a few of the supporting horizontal rails, and put some wear and tear on the fence. We've all seen them as they gradually collapse! (Not to mention, uneven teeth are harder to keep clean, so more prone to cavities and gum disease).
Here's the grand finale. Your brain, nerves, and facial muscles all work in harmony with your bite. Now the bite changes. If you weren't already grinding your teeth at night (most of us do!) you'll start. It's a reaction to the disharmony that's been created.
What's wrong with grinding your teeth, besides the fact that it keeps your roommate awake?
Well, grinding wears the teeth down. Some people do it faster than others. But as they wear down, they get shorter.
<img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />Picture the extreme -- really short, stubby little teeth. Not very attractive are they? And when you bite down, you have to close down farther to get them to touch. There's now less distance between the tip of your nose and the tip of your chin when you bite.
<img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />Have you ever seen those posters of people with no teeth biting down? Their chins go right up to their noses! Shorter teeth shorten the bottom half of your face when you bite down. That makes for an aged appearance and more wrinkly-looking skin.
OK, so maybe you've got only one missing tooth and nothing serious has come of it so far. Who knows, you may be one of those lucky people who gets away with it. Or maybe you won't. How much of a gamble are you ready to take?
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Bottom line? Take care of your teeth. Prevent cavites. Prevent gum disease. Those are the biggest reasons for tooth loss. Get little problems fixed while they're still little. Don't wait for them to get big and expensive.
Find a dentist you trust, who doesn't hurt you. There's no reason in this day and age that dentistry should be painful!
There. I'm getting off my soap box now... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
