How Can You Eat When You Have No Teeth?

If you’re missing some or all of your teeth, you are not alone. According to a study published by the American College of Prosthodontists, nearly 180 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Further, an estimated 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, according to the same study. It is also worth noting that the risk of tooth loss increases significantly with age. Separate studies show that 30 percent of individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 no longer have any of their natural teeth. In most cases, these same individuals have lost their teeth due to decay or trauma. While those who are missing 1 or 2 teeth are generally still able to chew and enjoy their food by changing their biting or chewing habits, those who have lost all of their teeth are not quite as fortunate.

DENTIST IN NORTHBROOK IL EXPLAINS THE DANGERS OF EATING FOOD WITHOUT TEETH

Studies show those who have lost all of their natural teeth often try to use their jaw bone and gums to chew food. According to most dentists, including those with Northbrook Dental Care, doing so is ill-advised as this approach to breaking down food can irritate the gums and weaken the small bones that make up the jaw. What’s more, the jaw eventually becomes more susceptible to fracture. Also, since food can’t be chewed correctly, many individuals will develop gastrointestinal problems, including

• Indigestion
• Chronic flatulence
• An overgrowth of bad bacteria in the colon

Ideally, if you’re missing all or most of your teeth, you should consider making changes to your diet, which includes eating foods that require little to no chewing. Some of these jaw and gum-friendly foods, according to the dentist of Northbrook IL, include the following:

• Mashed potatoes
• Apple sauce
• Certain soups
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Scrambled eggs

AFFORDABLE DENTAL RESTORATION IN NORTHBROOK

Most will agree that a diet consisting of nothing but soft, mushy food will become less appealing over time. For this reason, many dentists, including Dr. Steven Kacel, a well-regarded dentist with Northbrook Dental Care, provide dental restorations, such as dental bridges and dentures, which are covered by most dental insurance. For those procedures that might not be covered, as is sometimes the case with dental implants, Dr. Kacel, like many other Northbrook dental practitioners, will recommend a dental savings plan, short-term financing, and other options that can make it easier for patients to pay for the dental care that they need.