How Dental Implants Protect Your Oral Health
Did you know that missing teeth affect more than your appearance? Losing even one tooth will increase your risk of tooth decay, bone loss, and other oral health issues. For this reason, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with one of our dental implant dentists in Plymouth, MI, as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.
Here are some of the top ways that dental implant treatment protects your oral health in the long run.
Improve Nutrition
Eating your favorite foods shouldn’t be painful. If you experience pain or discomfort while eating, call our dentists right away. After tooth loss, it’s not uncommon for patients to eat soft foods. When you limit your diet to avoid tooth pain, you aren’t able to eat the nutrient-rich foods you need to stay healthy.
It’s important to understand how your oral health affects overall health. Your teeth, gums, and jawbones are part of a larger system. Not being able to eat a balanced diet can affect your bones, as well as increase your risk for tooth decay and jawbone deterioration.
Related: How Do Dental Implants Affect Eating and Nutrition? →
Prevent Future Tooth Loss
Your teeth are held in place by roots and surrounding teeth. This means that when you lose one tooth, you’re more at risk for losing subsequent teeth. The best way to stop tooth loss from getting worse is to ask our dentists at Plymouth Dentistry if you’re a candidate for the dental implant procedure.
Dental implants prevent further tooth loss by supporting nearby teeth. By giving the other teeth in your smile something to lean on, they’re less likely to become loose and fall out. Teeth that have nothing to lean on begin to tilt toward the open space unless they’re stopped by dental implants.
Reduce Your Risk of Cavities
Missing teeth puts you at higher risk for tooth decay. It’s hard to properly brush and floss teeth when they’re leaning toward empty sockets. Also keep in mind that the empty sockets where teeth once were can trap food particles, bacteria, and plaque.
Most oral health issues (like gum disease) are caused by untreated dental plaque. The best way to maintain good oral health is to replace missing teeth and practice good oral hygiene.
Stop Bone Loss in the Jaw
Unlike other tooth replacement options, a dental implant acts much like a natural tooth root to stimulate jawbone tissue. Your jawbone needs pressure from tooth roots to stay healthy. Otherwise, your jawbone will start to deteriorate and could even lead to facial collapse.
Many people with dentures experience jaw shrinkage, which drastically alters the shape of their face and overall appearance. The sooner you ask your dentist about the dental implant procedure, the sooner you’ll be able to protect your oral health.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
Our dental implant dentists in Plymouth, MI, are accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. To schedule a dental implant consultation, please call Plymouth Dentistry at (734) 459-7110. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.