CONSEQUENCES OF EDENTULISM

Edentulism or tooth loss has profound consequences extending beyond oral health impacting physical emotional and social wellbeing. It alters facial appearance reduces self-esteem and causes malnutrition speech difficulties and TMJ disorders. Psychologically tooth loss leads to social isolation embarrassment anxiety and depression. Systemically it's linked to malnutrition cardiovascular disease diabetes and respiratory infections. Functionally tooth loss impairs food selection taste and oral function while economically it incurs increased healthcare costs and lost productivity. Prompt dental care and prosthetic treatment can mitigate these consequences restore oral function improve aesthetics and enhance quality of life emphasizing the importance of early intervention.