Loosing Teeth and how it effects your health

"My seven years old daughter, Nikki, is in the process of loosing her baby teeth", said Dr. Farid Noie, DDS, a leading Cosmetic and Implant Dentist in Houston. "Every time that one of her baby teeth becomes wobbly, she can’t wait to loose it" Continued Dr. Farid Noie, The leading Oral Implantologist in Clear lake area, TX. Despite a steady decline in the rate of complete tooth loss over the past several decades, still more than one-third (33.9%) of those aged 65 and over are toothless (J Dent Educ. 1985;49:368-78). This affects chewing ability and diet (Nutrition 2001;17(2):177–8), as well as eating-related quality of life. Wearing partial or complete Dentures also may affect the sensory perception of texture and taste of food (Nut Res Rev 2004;17(1):43–54).

Dr. Farid Noie adds that the aging process in a healthy adult with 24 or more teeth is associated with moderate changes in oral physiology. However, major changes in chewing behavior and masticatory (chewing) efficiency are seen when aging is associated with a compromised dentition (few or no teeth). Because such a large segment of the elderly is toothless, the effect of Edentulism (complete or partial tooth loss) on nutritional and health status is an important but overlooked public health issue for the elderly (J Dent Res 1996;75(spec no):684-95).

According to Dr. Farid Noie, Implant dentist, Loss of teeth can substantially affect oral and general health as well as overall quality of life, including enjoyment of food and overall nutrition (J Prosthetic Dent 1996;76:260-6). Evidence suggests that impaired oral health status, particularly Edentulism, may affect dietary intake. Even with dentures, patients with few or no teeth are shown to have reduced masticating (chewing ability) and compromised food taste, food preferences, and food consumption patterns (J Am Geriatric Soc 1996;44:456-64 and Am J Clinical Nutrition 1989;50(suppl):1210-8; discussion 1231–5).

Some other studies also suggests that Edentulism( loss of teeth) is associated with sub-optimal intakes of various nutrients (J Am Diet Assoc 2003;103:61-6, J Dent Res 2002;82:123-6), which prevents individuals from meeting current dietary recommendations (J Dent Res 2001;80:1625-30). Several studies have shown that elderly with few or no teeth consume fewer fruit and vegetables; less dietary fiber, carotene, calcium, and protein; and more cholesterol and saturated fat than do their counterparts with full set of teeth (J Am Dent Assoc 1996;127:459-67). Furthermore, these alterations in dietary intake have been suspected to increase the risk of significant weight loss (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000;55:M366-71, J Am Geriatr Soc 1993;41:725-31) and possibly of selected systemic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease (J Dent Res 2001;80:1648-52).

Dr. Farid Noie hypothesizes that toothless elderly persons in general would have nutrient and food group intakes that are lower than dietary recommendations, greater weight changes, and poorer serum albumin and lipid concentrations than would other elderly persons with 24 teeth or more. Basically, Tooth loss, dentures, and decreased salivation affect the ability to eat and compromise the nutrient intake of older adults.

Compromised oral health is one of many barriers to achieving an adequate food intake in older age; therefore, restoring a patient’s proper chewing ability is important. Dentists should be aware of the early signs of nutritional deficiencies, which often manifest first in the oral tissues. They should be observant with regard to other indicators of poor nutrition, such as weight loss, and refer at-risk patients to a registered dietitian for further assessment and intervention.
Health care professionals can develop successful prevention and treatment strategies only through an increased awareness and understanding of the causes of poor nutritional status in older age. Good professional relationships between registered dietitians and dental professionals are essential to this process.

Doctor Farid Noie has maintained a private practice in Bay Area since 1996 with an emphasis in Cosmetics, Orthodontics, and Implant dentistry. He is among a very rare group of dentists that performs both surgical placement and restoration of dental Implants . For a complimentary consultation with Dr. Farid Noie please visit his web site at http://www.drnoie.com/

Dr. Farid Noie is FELLOW of the ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY the The most recognized and respected Dental Organization in the United States. Less than five percent of practicing dentists have earned this honor. He is also a FELLOW of American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), which offers the most rigorous implant dentistry credentialing program in the world requiring at least 300 hours of post-doctoral instruction.
Dr. Farid Noie also is FELLOW of International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the largest oral Implant organization in the world. He is also an active member of prestigeous American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). The AACD is dedicated to advancing excellence in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise. For mor einformation please visit www.drnoie.com