Kamusta, mga Nanay at Tatay! The sound of your child crying in pain is one of the most heart-wrenching things a parent can hear. When that pain is from a dental infection, the fear and urgency can feel overwhelming.

This is the story of Althea, a 6-year-old girl from Marikina, and her mother, Carmina.

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth? (Facial Collapse & Shifting Teeth Explained)

Losing a tooth might seem like a minor issue—until years pass, and the hidden damage becomes undeniable. Here’s what really happens when you ignore missing teeth:

1. Teeth Shift & Alignment Changes (Domino Effect)

• Year 1: Adjacent teeth tilt into the gap. Opposing teeth (top/bottom) over-erupt since nothing stops them.

The Surprising Mouth–Brain Connection

For decades, Alzheimer’s disease has been considered purely a brain disorder — a tragic decline of memory and cognition caused by mysterious changes deep in the mind. But recent research is painting a new and startling picture: the story might actually start in your mouth.

Scientists have discovered that the same bacteria responsible for chronic gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, may travel from the mouth to the brain. Once there, it can set off harmful changes that resemble — and may even cause — Alzheimer’s disease.