The impact of missing teeth

Your smile is important to you and to your Riverside periodontist, Dr. Denine Rice. When you have severe periodontal disease the gums begin to recede and the pockets become infected with bacteria. Unfortunately, many times people will receive treatment only after having lost a tooth or two.

                Losing teeth can impact your self-confidence. We are judged in society by our smile. When you enter a crowded room and people are around you they tend to evaluate how friendly you are based on whether you smile at them. If you don’t smile, individuals may begin to think you are rude. As people around you make this judgment, your inclination may be to withdraw from friends and family.

                Missing teeth can also impact interviews and jobs you are hired for. We have only seven seconds to make an impression with an individual and your smile is a part of your first impression. When you enter the interview the employer is automatically making assumptions about who you are. Dr. Denine Rice suggests that "Missing teeth impact how people see you, their level of trust for you and how much authority you have in a situation.” If you are working on a project as the team leader you will need individuals to believe in your vision and feel comfortable carrying out the responsibilities. Unfortunately, people believe that if you are unable to take care of your teeth you are also unable to handle the responsibilities of a big project that involves multi-layers.

                It is suggested by Dr. Rice, the periodontist at Rice Periodontics and ImplantSurgery, “Take care of signs of gingivitis right away so you don’t find yourself in a situation where your periodontal disease has developed to a place where you have missing teeth. If your gums are bleeding, swollen or you have loose teeth, make an appointment today."