Dental implants are widely used to enhance the appearance of those who have missing or damaged teeth. While restoring the appearance of your smile may be the most notable benefit of getting dental implants, there are other, lesser-known benefits. Here are some health benefits that you may be unaware of that can have a dramatic positive impact on your overall state of health.
Enhanced Bone Health
Missing teeth can cause significant bone loss in your jawbones. This is because when you bite down hard with your teeth when chewing your food, it helps strengthen your bones and the other structures of your oral cavity such as the muscles and tendons.
When your teeth are missing, you are unable to exert the same amount of weight on your jawbones that you would if you had teeth. Over time, the diminished weight-bearing effects can heighten the risk for significant bone loss, which may put you at risk for pain and fractures. In addition, bone loss in your jawbones can also alter your appearance, causing your cheeks to look sunken in. Dental implants can lower your risk for bone loss by increasing weight-bearing pressure on your jaws when you chew, preventing further bone loss.
Reduced Risk For Nutritional Deficiencies
If you have missing teeth, then you may be unable to chew nutrient-dense foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Over time, this may lead to nutritional deficiencies such as those associated with the low intake of potassium, calcium, and vitamin C. Further, the inability to chew may discourage you from eating, and because of this, you may lose significant amounts of weight. Dental implants can restore your ability to chew all types of foods, even hard foods such as nutritious almonds, healthy pumpkin seeds, and even iron-rich meat.
While taking vitamin and mineral supplements can help fulfill your recommended daily allowances for these nutrients, it is thought that getting your nutrients from the foods you eat may be a healthier option. Nutritional deficiencies can also take a toll on your oral health. For example, if you are deficient in vitamin C, your gums may become sore, swollen, and bleed.
If you have missing teeth and would like to learn more about the above health benefits of getting dental implants, make an appointment with your dentist. Whether you need to replace only one of your natural teeth or all of them with dental implants, you can rest assured that you will be enjoying their benefits for many years to come.
Share3 May 2022
Being born with naturally soft teeth, I've spent a lot of time in and out of the dentist's office. Not only have I learned a lot about basic dental care, I've also discovered many tips for dealing with broken teeth, extractions, implants, and more. I decided that I wanted to make the most of my experience by sharing what I've learned with others. True first-hand experience is a great teacher, and I knew that my story could help. I created this site to do just that, and I hope that the information here helps you to understand what to expect from your dental problems.