Let's TalkTeeth (Part 1)

It has been said and rightfully so, that beauty and glamour apply to whatever excites the keenest of pleasures and stirs euphoric emotion through the senses. Physical attractiveness suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion or symmetry, or elegance. The face, which is the most conspicuous part of the human anatomy is man's most individual characteristic. Thus, a person is best remembered through his face either as pleasant- looking or less desirable. Incidentally, the lower half of the face which comprises the upper and lower jaw is the territory of the dentist. In the event that teeth which are embedded in the jaws are gone, dramatic changes can be noted in various ways.

Masticatory Dysfunction

The primary function of the teeth is to prepare food for swallowing and to facilitate digestion. When some or all of the teeth are lost either through accident, or quite commonly through tooth decay (This is especially true among individuals who are grossly remiss with their oral hygiene habits or the lack of it.), the digestive system will have to do an extra amount of work for which it is unfitted. If left unrestored, problems such as malignment of teeth, malocclusion and eventually total breakdown of the masticatory apparatus will ensue. Soon systematic disturbances manifested initially in the form of indigestion may complicate into gastrointestinal aberrations, which are now more or less serious and will ultimately curtail the span of life. In fact, a person devoid of any dentition is considered physically handicapped.

Disturbed Facial Contour

Loss of some or all of the teeth will undoubtedly lead to facial disfigurement. The chin has the appearance of being too close to the nose and too far forward. The skin of the face loses its muscle tone which gives the face an appearance of flabbiness instead of firmness losing its elasticity. Wrinkles develop at the periphery of the mouth. The appearance of premature senility may be caused not by age itself but by the lack of support for the lips and cheeks due to loss of teeth. The lips lose their fullness and the well-defined intricate borders are reduced simply to approximate a line. Further still, saliva accumulates and stagnates at the corners of the mouth because of overclosure and as a consequence, may result in a disease known as angular cheilitis since it is unhygienic.

Speech Defects

It is also recognized that the teeth not only contribute to the digestion of food but also are important in speech. The art of producing correct speech sounds known as phonetics is extremely compromised among edentate patients. Eloquence in talking is a combined effort of several oral tissues such as the tongue and most notably the teeth. Great orators in the likes of Presidents Kennedy and Marcos were observed to have near or perfect dentition.

Sibilant sounds such as, s, ch, zh and j can be considered as dental and alveolar speech sounds. Most people make "s" sound with the tip of the tongue and the bone behind the front teeth with a small space for air to escape between the tongue and the front teeth. The size and shape of this small space will determine the quality of the sound. Thus, in the absence of these teeth, the "s" sound will be developed as an "sh" somewhat like a lisp.

Discomfort

To a great number of people dental aesthetics are of paramount consideration. Dental aesthetics affect personal appearance. The presence of a full compliment of teeth with a natural appearance is important to an individual's self-image. The thought of having a perfect dentition strengthens self-confidence. On the other hand, the emotional and psychologic effects of a disturbed facial contour among edentulous people, will lead to an experience of personal discomfort a negative outlook on life.

Mechanism of Tooth Loss

It would be inaccurate to state that disease factors, such as tooth decay and gum disease are the sole causes of tooth loss. Research has demonstrated that several nondisease factors such as, attitude, behavior, dental attendance and characteristics of the health care system, do play an important role in the decision to become edentulous. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that edentulism is due to various combinations of cultural and attitudinal determinants, and to treatment received over the past several years.

Tooth Loss May Be Attributed Primarily Through Tooth Decay or Gum Disease or Both I - Tooth Decay
a.Acids attack and wear away tooth enamel thus creating a cavity. b.The decay then spreads to the dentin. It must be removed and the cavity filled by a dentist to stop further
damage.
c.If not treated, the decay spreads deeper into the pulp and the tooth becomes painful. At this stage, root canal treatment is recommended.
d.When the decay spreads to the root it causes an abscess. Not only root canal treatment can then save the tooth. In advanced cases the tooth may have to be extracted.

II - Gum Disease
a.Healthy gums grip the sides of the teeth and anchor them firmly in place.
b.Unremoved plaque hardens into a calculus or tartar, which presses on the gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. This is known as GINGIVITIS.
c.If untreated, pus forms, the bone gets eroded and finally the tooth may fall out. This condition is called PERIODONTITIS or PYORRHOEA.