Dental Implants Aren’t Just Long-Lasting; They Can Also Help You Live Longer

Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth currently available. Since they are anchored directly to the jawbone, they have a sturdy foundation that allows them to chew all types of foods, and they are so lifelike that they will be completely unnoticed by the casual observer. While they certainly look great and allow patients to enjoy eating more, they also have benefits that can help you live longer with a higher quality of life. Here are a few ways dental implants can help you stay healthier in the long run.

They Allow You to Eat a Healthier Diet

While dentures and dental bridges can be fantastic dental restorations for many people, they have significant limitations to what kinds of foods they can handle. They simply don’t have the strength and leverage necessary to bite, tear, and grind chewy or crunchy foods. This makes it difficult to enjoy items like chewy meats, crunchy nuts, crusty breads, or snappy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery. This means many patients will miss out on the wealth of nutrition foods like these offer.

Dental implants, on the other hand, function exactly like real teeth, meaning they can bite, chew, and tear without any problems once they have completely healed. This helps patients get all the nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy.

Dental Implants Are Easier to Clean

The human mouth is a warm, damp, dark place, and that makes it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria if you don’t clean it regularly. Even artificial teeth must be kept clean because they can host plaque and food debris that can lead to nasty oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease, which have been associated with dangerous conditions like heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. Patients with traditional restorations like dentures and bridges must take special care to clean every surface of their appliances, as food debris and plaque can be sheltered underneath them.

Once dental implants have fully healed, they require only the same oral hygiene routine as natural teeth. This includes a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash. This allows patients to have a much easier time keeping their mouths clean and healthy than they would with traditional restorations.

Dental implants do much more than make your smile look pretty. They also provide significant health benefits that can help a patient enjoy their life more. Consulting with your dentist can determine if dental implants are right for you.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Capehart earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he graduated within the top ten percent of his class. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His office in Lewisville, TX offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant services. For more information on what dental implants can do for you, contact his office online or dial (972) 436-1325.