The Impact of Tooth Loss on Mental Health in Old Age

In the past, it was generally accepted that our natural teeth would be lost gradually as we aged. A expert oral health expert in London says that modern dentistry is determined to eradicate this misconception. Most dentists agree that, other than trauma, tooth loss is mostly caused by gum disease.

Cared for properly, there’s no reason why teeth won’t last a lifetime. Tooth loss, at any age, can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health. But that impact can be worse in old age. In fact, a lot of studies have been conducted on the impact of tooth loss on mental health at older age. Premiere institutes, including the American Geriatrics Society, have published the reports of these studies.

Impacts of tooth loss

These reports clearly indicate that, for people between the ages of 60 to 74, tooth loss can be an initial sign of both physical and mental decline. These people were often also found to have poorer memory and to be less agile. Usually, both these symptoms can indicate low mood. These studies also reveal that old people suffering from either gum disease or poor dental health are more at risk of developing dementia.

The ideal solution and procedure

Thankfully, modern dentistry can offer an excellent solution to the problem of tooth loss in form of dental implants. According to dental healthcare experts, implants offer the most realistic and durable solution to the problem of tooth loss. The treatment involves surgically drilling an implant post into the empty socket in the gum. The post is usually made of biocompatible metal like titanium. Over time the metal post fuses with your jawbone and the surrounding tissues. The dental implant surgery is the first phase of the treatment. After the surgery has healed completely, an artificial crown is placed on the implant post. Dental implants cater to both the aesthetic and the functional aspects of the natural tooth that has been lost.

During the surgical procedure, a patient will be given pain-killing medication to minimise the pain. As a prerequisite, you need to have enough bone in the jaw to support the implant. People without sufficient jawbone may still be able to undergo implant treatment after undergoing bone grafting.

This has been a brief synopsis of treatment that can resolve the problem of missing teeth. Ask one of our experienced team for more information and book your appointment now.