Many people strive to keep their skin looking firm and youthful. Over time, aging might cause the skin on the face to droop, altering the aesthetics of your smile. But sometimes, your face might begin to sag due to an underlying oral health problem.
Your dentist can evaluate your oral health needs to prevent facial sagging and even treat existing cosmetic concerns in your face or smile. Schedule a dental consultation today to find targeted treatment for your smile. Read on to learn details about how dental solutions can preserve your facial appearance.
What Causes Facial Sagging?
You associate the effect of facial sagging with the appearance of loose or baggy skin. But this change in your face shape can occur due to issues with your jaw and teeth as well.
Tooth loss is a common reason why sagging in the face may occur. When you lose one or more teeth, you no longer have a full set of tooth roots that extend into the jaw. The root of the teeth function to stimulate the jaw, and in their absence, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate.
As the jawbone weakens, you can see shrinkage in the lower part of the face, especially near the chin. This can cause the skin there to sag, making you appear older. But you can also have difficulty performing certain oral functions due to this complication.
How Can I Preserve My Facial Structure?
If you lose a tooth, you cannot stop potential dental complications like jawbone loss and facial sagging on your own. However, you can take action to reduce your risk of tooth loss. This way, your jaw can continue receiving stimulation from a full set of teeth and stay healthy.
Dental concerns like gum disease and tooth decay are common causes of tooth loss. To avoid developing these issues, practice good oral hygiene. Consistent teeth brushing and flossing will remove harmful residues before they can create dental problems.
Sometimes, you might knock out a tooth accidentally. Call your dentist right away because your dentist can save the tooth in some cases if you seek emergency dental care as soon as possible.
You can also prevent facial sagging in the wake of tooth loss by replacing missing teeth as soon as you can. Specifically, dental implants feature anchors that a dentist inserts below the gumline to reach the jaw. They replace missing tooth roots so that your jaw can receive stimulation again and not lose bone.
Can My Dentist Treat Facial Sagging?
If you already suffer from jawbone deterioration due to tooth loss, you should schedule a consultation with your dentist promptly. Because a dental implant relies on fusion with the jawbone to sustain the device, you might not be able to support an implant if you already lost bone in the jaw.
Your dentist can evaluate your jawbone health with x-ray imaging. They may suggest a bone graft to add stability and shape to the jaw which may ultimately support an implant after you heal. Learn more about restorative dental options by calling your dentist today.