Error message
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $feed_nid declared before required parameter $context is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $info is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $type declared before required parameter $key is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::__wakeup() should either be compatible with DateTime::__wakeup(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::format($format, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::format(string $format): string, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Return type of DateObject::setTimezone($tz, $force = false) should either be compatible with DateTime::setTimezone(DateTimeZone $timezone): DateTime, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include_once() (line 143 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/date_api/date_api.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $rrule declared before required parameter $item is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $rrule_values declared before required parameter $item is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $name is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $data declared before required parameter $name is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $file declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $account declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $entity declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $account declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $values declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $view_mode declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $langcode declared before required parameter $entity_type is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 342 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/module.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in require_once() (line 12 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/media/media.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $input declared before required parameter $form_state is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $path declared before required parameter $langcode is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 1439 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/bootstrap.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property alpha_theme_container::$delta is deprecated in alpha_theme_container->__construct() (line 25 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/themes/omega/alpha/includes/base.inc).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $edit declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 78 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/nodequeue/nodequeue.module).
- Deprecated function: Optional parameter $edit declared before required parameter $node is implicitly treated as a required parameter in include_once() (line 78 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/nodequeue/nodequeue.module).
- Deprecated function: preg_match(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($subject) of type string is deprecated in internal_nodes_url_outbound_alter() (line 190 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/internal_nodes/internal_nodes.module).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$export_module is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /home/toothw6/public_html/includes/cache.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$type is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 537 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$export_type is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 538 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$in_code_only is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 539 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$table is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 540 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property metatag_views_plugin_display_extender_metatags::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$relationships_fixed is deprecated in view->fix_missing_relationships() (line 628 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_localization_none::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$localization_plugin is deprecated in view->init_localization() (line 2141 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_severity::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$value_title is deprecated in views_handler_filter_in_operator->construct() (line 36 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_in_operator.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_filter_severity::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_area_text::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$inited is deprecated in view->init_handlers() (line 713 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_plugin_argument_validate_feed_nid::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_plugin_argument_validate_feed_nid::$argument is deprecated in views_plugin_argument_validate->init() (line 26 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_argument_validate.inc).
- Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$argument_validated is deprecated in views_handler_argument->validate_arg() (line 1068 of /home/toothw6/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc).
Replace Missing Teeth
When we are born we come into the world without teeth. Some of us leave the same way, but that really isn’t what nature intended.
When you are on a liquid diet having teeth doesn’t appear to be vital, since there is obviously nothing to chew. Nature pretty much handles a baby’s nutritional needs with mother’s milk. As we grow and begin to eat solid food, however, having and maintaining healthy teeth becomes an entirely different matter.
So when teeth become lost due to cavities, periodontal disease or trauma, the consequences for good health can become significant. Let’s not forget that digestion begins in the mouth. There are actually two forms of digestion - mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical digestion is the grinding and tearing of food, as in chewing, in order to increase its surface area. Creating a greater surface area means that there is a better chance that chemical digestion can do its job. In chemical digestion, enzymes react with the food to help break it down into simpler substances which can either be absorbed in the bloodstream as nutrients or passed out of the body as waste. This process of breakdown and assimilation occurs within the digestive tract - but it starts in the mouth with your teeth, tongue, and saliva.
Because a full set of adult teeth numbers thirty-two, it seems many people feel the occasional loss of a tooth is a relatively insignificant event. And while it is true that a person can still function with thirty-one, the long-term consequence of losing just one tooth can be more significant than most people realize.
While all of our teeth are important, structurally, the loss of certain teeth will bring about more change than the loss of others. Think of this in terms of the walls of your house. If you take down a non-supporting wall, the house will still stand. Take out a supporting wall, however, and you have a much bigger problem. Teeth are constructed much like an arch, though. If you have ever seen a stone arch, you know it has a keystone at the top that keeps the arch together. Remove that one stone, and the whole thing collapses. In your dental arch, you can think of your canines as a keystone. Lose them, and the ensuing change can be rapid. You can lose several teeth - even all - over time. But it’s not just the loss of canines that creates a problem.
Losing a first molar, for example, can create a domino effect of changes in your mouth that can affect your ability to chew easily. It can cause shifting of the teeth in a manner that even affects the appearance of your front teeth. Or, it can lead to periodontal problems and the formation of cavities on portions of the teeth that might not have been otherwise affected before the loss.
The point is that if you lose a tooth, you should consult your dentist about what tooth replacement options are right for you. Today, we have many ways of providing functional replacements that can improve your ability to chew your food, maintain your good appearance, and keep you from losing still more teeth. Depending upon your circumstances and financial considerations, these replacements may include removable dentures, bridges (which are non-removable, cemented tooth replacements), or dental implants (think of them as artificial tooth-roots that have crowns, bridges, or dentures attached to them).
If you are missing a tooth, speak with your dentist about what tooth replacement options are right for your situation. Replacing a lost tooth early is often much less involved (and costly) than when you begin to experience the problems resulting from long-term neglect.
by Dr. Richard J. Walicki - June 21, 2009