Teeth: Why Are Your Teeth So Extremely Important?

Date: March 12, 2025

Teeth: Why Are Your Teeth So Extremely Important?

Teeth. Those beautiful pearlies at the entrance of your mouth. You use them when you eat, place them together and apart to talk, and likely brush or floss them at least once or twice a day. Sometimes, you show them off with a big smile as someone says, “Cheese.” Occasionally, you might have one fixed, straightened, polished, or pulled. 

Reasons to Take Care of Those Teeth

All the while, your dentist and hygienist generally beg, “Take care of those teeth.” However, beyond eating and completing your smile, have you ever wondered, “What’s the big deal with teeth, those enamel denticles?”

First Reason Teeth are Important

Moreover, teeth are essential for overall health and well-being. Firstly, teeth are imperative for digestion. After all, chewing is the first step in a long line of processing one’s food. Simply put, those white choppers are the frontlines breaking down your food and providing nutrition. The better your teeth work, the greater the chance your stomach’s digestive enzymes can commence steps to digestion and food absorption. By contrast, improper chewing leads to poor digestion, poor nutrition, and a range of gastrointestinal issues.

Second Reason Teeth are Important

Secondly, teeth are vital for maintaining proper speech and communication. The iconic song, “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” is cute and shows the connection of lisping without teeth. Yet, long-term tooth gaps are not so pretty. This is because our ability to pronounce words clearly and effectively depends heavily on the alignment and condition of our teeth. Markedly, teeth help in the formation of sounds and articulation. Any issues with teeth, i.e., tooth loss, an overbite, misalignment, or other, lead to speech and articulation difficulty. 

Third Reason Teeth are Important

Thirdly, teeth play a crucial role in facial structure, jawline, and aesthetics. Essentially, your teeth hold up your gums. Have you seen someone permanently missing teeth? After a prolonged time, their gums also recede.

Historically, tooth extractions were done with little discussion about jawbones. Modern tooth extractions generally involve discussions regarding building and maintaining alveolar bone. Periodontal disease can cause the loss of teeth and alveolar bone, which can make the jaw appear sunken.¹ Because the alveolar bone develops in response to the development of teeth, the bone itself may not develop if there are no teeth to support it.¹ Moreover, a healthy set of teeth contributes to a healthy jawline and confident smile. Therefore, your teeth can boost positive self-esteem and good social interaction.

Fourth Reason Teeth are Important

Fourthly, teeth are essential for maintaining overall good oral health. Healthy teeth are necessary to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are crucial to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. On the other hand, neglecting oral hygiene can lead to discomfort, pain, and difficulty in eating. When one suffers painful toothache, oral health issues, or gum disease, the malaise may do more than just hinder the ability to digest food.

Reasons to Practice Dental Hygiene

Long-term poor dental hygiene can lead to severe health issues such as gum disease, inflammation throughout the body, infections, kidney disease, pregnancy complications, and even oral cancer. There’s evidence of links between oral health and serious health conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, oral health conditions play a part in: 

• Endocarditis—an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves, called endocardium.² 
• Cardiovascular disease—Heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral germs can cause.²
• Pregnancy and birth complications—Gum disease called periodontitis is linked to premature birth and low birth weight.²
• Pneumonia—Certain germs in the mouth can go into the lungs. This may cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.²

The above is just a sampling, with many other ailments showing the link between the oral cavity and the body. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize those white enamels. 

Summarily, teeth are an essential part of our well-being. From aiding in digestion and speech to maintaining oral health and enhancing our quality of life, teeth play a vital role in everyday functioning. For these reasons, it is essential to maintain good dental care. By understanding why teeth are important, one can take proactive steps every day to ensure their smile is healthy and stays around for a long time to come. 

Sink Your Teeth Into Our Program 

Would you like to know more about teeth? Ask questions about our dental assistant program today. Click here.  ~

By Cindy R. Chamberlin.
Citations:
^{1^a, b}  “Periodontology Anatomy Alveolar Bone.” Featherstoneperio.com. September 6, 2024. (Accessed February 28, 2025.)
^{2^a, b, c, d}  Mayo Clinic. “Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health.” Mayo Clinic. March 14, 2024. (Accessed February 28, 2025.)

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• Dental Assisting