Difficulty Chewing? Tennessee Implant & Oral Surgery Can Help!

Difficulty Chewing? Tennessee Implant & Oral Surgery Can Help!

If you are having trouble chewing your food properly, this can seriously interfere with your day-to-day life. You may avoid eating with others due to embarrassment, or you may not be able to eat some of your favorite foods. Chewing difficulties can occur as a result of tooth loss, improper fit of dentures, or otherwise damaged teeth.

At Tennessee Implant & Oral Surgery, we specialize in surgical solutions for missing teeth and offer high-quality implants and dentures.‍

Chewing Issues Caused by Dentures‍

Worn-out or improperly fitted dentures can cause chewing issues. When properly fitted, your dentures will allow you to chew normally and eat most of your favorite foods. However, even the highest-quality dentures may deteriorate over time. Both full and partial dentures may become loose and cause chewing issues.

When this happens, your dentures may require rebuilding or relining. This is especially common in the first few years after tooth loss, when the underlying bone starts to deteriorate, changing the shape of the jaw and gums. In some cases, dentures may also cause “hot spots” when they are fitted to your mouth unevenly. This causes gum irritation and discomfort, which can interfere with your ability to chew properly. ‍

Chewing Issues Caused by Missing Teeth‍

Missing teeth are probably the most common cause of chewing issues. If you are missing one or more teeth, your ability to chew properly may be seriously impaired. Losing a front tooth, for example, may interfere with your ability to chew things like apples or other hard foods. 

In addition, losing a rear molar or premolar can make it harder for you to chew fibrous and dense foods. You may need to chew only on one side of your mouth if you are missing more than one tooth. Losing a tooth causes the surrounding teeth to shift toward the empty socket, which can interfere with your bite and tooth alignment, and can also lead to excessive wear on adjacent teeth. To avoid these common issues, it’s best to have your missing teeth replaced as soon as possible.‍

How We Can Help Restore Your Ability to Chew with Dental Implants‍

At Tennessee Implant & Oral Surgery, Dr. Kirk specializes in dental implants. We can restore one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth with dental implants. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are inserted directly into your oral tissue and permanently fixed in place. They last 30+ years, and your implant-supported restorations will look and feel just like natural teeth.

If you want to restore your natural ability to chew, Dr. Kirk is here to help. To get started, give us a call at (615) 453-7800, or visit our office at 1409 W Baddour Parkway, Suite F, Lebanon, TN 37087. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can start chewing normally again and get back to your day-to-day life!