Losing a tooth no longer means that you need to go the rest of your life without it. There are several tooth replacement options out there to help patients restore their smile. Dental implants are a preferred method because of their numerous benefits, including the fact that they can improve your health and could even increase your lifespan. Continue reading to learn about the health benefits of dental implants.
Prevents Additional Tooth Loss
When a tooth is removed and not replaced, your jawbone will begin to be reabsorbed by the body. This can cause your surrounding teeth to shift around and lead to additional tooth loss over time. It can make it more difficult to eat the nutritious food you need to keep your body healthy. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option out there that replaces the root of the missing tooth. This prevents bone loss from occurring and keeps the surrounding teeth in their places. Ultimately, you won’t be experiencing the negative effects of bone loss and misalignment issues.
Prevents Gum Disease
If you aren’t caring for dentures or bridges properly, or they aren’t fitting right, it can make it more difficult for you to remove food and bacteria with brushing and flossing. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontal disease. This can mean anything from gum swelling, bleeding, additional tooth loss, and more. Periodontitis can increase your risk for numerous health issues, some of them being life-threatening. They include heart disease, type two diabetes, pregnancy complications, Alzheimer’s disease, and lung infections.
Brushing and flossing can be made a lot easier with dental implants than with dentures and bridges. Since dental implants act just like your natural teeth, you can brush and floss thoroughly. This reduces your chances of developing gum disease and the health risks associated with it.
Helps You Eat Healthier
When you have tooth replacements like bridges and dentures, there are several different types of food that are difficult to eat and best avoided. The problem is that many of these foods are healthy, like harder fruits and vegetables that are loaded with nutrients that are rich sources of fiber and linked with heart health. Ultimately, when you don’t get enough vitamins and minerals that you need, you are more likely to end up with health issues. With dental implants, eating is made much easier because you don’t have to worry about eliminating foods from your diet.
In addition to all of the other benefits, dental implants can help to keep you healthy and may even expand your life! Talk to your dentist to find out if you would make a good candidate.
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for three decades. He earned his dental doctorate from the Baylor College of Dentistry, one of the top school in the nation. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the American Orthodontic Society. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation at his office in Flower Mound, visit his website or call (972) 906-9797.