Understanding elements of how other species feed can often shed light on the massive biological potential here on Earth. This time of year, tables around Lake Orion and the rest of the country will feature a holiday turkey or other bird. Unlike humans, birds do not possess teeth for chewing. Your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, discusses how turkeys chew without teeth.
Turkey Talk
Birds use their stomach acids and intestinal tracts to digest the food they eat. Although turkeys don’t sport a set of chompers, they can extract the nutrients they require from their food without teeth. Through a complex process of absorption, saliva, the stomach, and the colon all aid in the digestive process. Unfortunately, humans don’t possess the same kind of enzymes and acids which can break down food without chewing. Our saliva, stomachs, and colons can do quite a bit, but humans still need their teeth to break down food.
Adult Tooth Loss
Tooth loss occurs in numerous individuals throughout the world. Studies indicate that one half of Americans will suffer from adult tooth loss at some point during their life. The primary cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease. Most patients show signs of gum disease and gum recession when they age. Some symptoms of gum disease include halitosis, repeated bacterial infections, dry mouth, and bleeding gums. Gum disease can cause more than tooth loss though.
Issues associated with heart diseases, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and even problems with hip replacements all link back to gum disease. If you do suffer from adult tooth loss, dental implants could provide a solution to your issue of replacing missing teeth. Implants consist of a titanium post and a ceramic post designed to look and function like natural teeth. You could continue eating all of your favorite holiday foods with dental implants.
Schedule Your Lake Orion Dental Visit
At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can provide you with comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion dental implant office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in Michigan.
