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Thanksgiving came and went, but many people still have a little turkey left over for delicious sandwiches. People throughout the country devoured food over the holiday and probably consumed that food with the help of their teeth. Taking care of teeth is certainly important around the holiday season since people see an uptick in consumption sugary treats and starches. Turkeys don’t eat their food in quite the same way as humans. The dentists from Riverside Dental Group discuss how turkeys chew without teeth.

Bird Time

The avian digestive system operates quite differently from our human digestive system. For starters, we typically do not begin the digestive process by breaking our food into a paste. The turkey uses strong saliva to break down their food before sending food down into their stomach. Strong stomach acids continue the digestive process. Finally, the turkey stomach sends their food through the intestinal system for nutrient extraction. Humans can’t use our saliva alone to convert large food items into a paste. Humans benefit greatly from teeth, especially when consuming hard fruits and vegetables or tough meats.

Adult Tooth Loss

Unfortunately, recent studies indicate that nearly 50% of American adults will suffer from a lost tooth during their adult life. Gum disease serves as the leading cause of adult tooth loss in America right now. The prevalence of gum disease is shocking. Researchers project that roughly 80% of American adults will experience gum disease during their lifetime.

Dental Implants

We can replace missing teeth with dental implants in our Southern California dental offices. Dental implants provide a tooth replacement option which promotes jawbone growth and reduces people’s risk for facial collapse cause by jawbone deterioration. Additionally, dental implants were designed to look and function like natural teeth. You can care for your dental implants just like natural teeth. Simply brush twice daily, floss regularly, and use an antimicrobial mouthrinse after each brushing.

Schedule Your Visit

Riverside Dental Group provides comprehensive dental care for our patients in our 92504 dentist office. Contact us by calling (951) 689-5031 to schedule your appointment today. We welcome patients from Riverside and all neighboring communities.