No more Mr Gummy Smile

Did you know that tooth loss is on the way out?  

At Wahroonga Dental located in Northern Sydney, we are passionate about helping people retain their natural teeth. Given this passion, it’s easy to see why we are very happy about the statistics released from the Number 65 Dental Statistics and Research Series from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Reporting a national decline in total tooth loss 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, edentulism (complete tooth loss) has declined significantly. While the figures continue to drop even in 2014, the survey reported that edentulism had dropped by approximately 8% between the years of 1988 and 2005.

A smile full of natural teeth

Number 65 Dental Statistics and Research Series also reported that more and more people who have still retained their natural teeth actually have a higher number of natural teeth in their smile than before. The study communicated that adults aged 55 and over had an additional four natural teeth compared to those born after 1988.

So what does all this mean?

It means that as a whole, Australians are probably taking better care of their natural teeth, which is likely to be a direct result of increased dental education and dental care accessibility. At Wahroonga Dental located in Northern Sydney, we believe that your natural teeth are extremely valuable and we will go above and beyond to help you retain them.

Unfortunately, tooth loss is a common reality for many of us

When faced with the prospect of missing teeth many patients feel intimidated. Stories of dentures that slip out of place and toothless grins have often made people feel like tooth loss cannot be permanently treated – however, this is untrue. Missing teeth can be permanently replaced by dental implants.

If you have a missing a tooth, ensure that you protect the teeth you still have

Ignoring a missing tooth, or a number of missing teeth, can be damaging for a number of reasons, potentially causing:

• Tooth movement and bite changes
• Overloading of surrounding teeth
• Increased and unsustainable pressure on the existing teeth
• Further tooth loss
• Jawbone deterioration causing a sunken-in appearance
• Gum recession

Are you missing one or more teeth?

Even though tooth loss is statistically on the decline according to the Number 65 Dental Statistics and Research Series, if you are missing one or more teeth we can help. If you would like to learn more about dental implants or the dangers of ignoring missing teeth, please contact our dental professionals today.

Book a consultation