Page 21 - Southdown Dental Implant Book

20 | GETYOURSMILEBACK:EVERYTHINGYOUNEEDTOKNOW... This causes your front teeth to get “squashed” or pushed forward, and your tongue to spread into the space where your molars used to be – which makes your face collapse. I’m sure it doesn’t shock you to learn that any or all of these aesthetically and physically disastrous scenarios can cause chronic depression, personality changes and plunging self-esteem. And, unfortunately, there’s more... Even if you’re perfectly content with your dentures (and I’ve yet to meet someone who is), you’ll have trouble with the way they fit down the road, as your jawbone continues to deteriorate. Over time, there will be less muscle, and less bone, to hold your dentures in place. Nerves come closer to the surface as your gums wear down... and it’s possible to end up experiencing agony every time you take a bite. Additionally, I’m sure you can only imagine what happens to your nutrition when you can’t chew properly.