7 Ways That Dental Implants Can Benefit Your Oral Health

Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option in modern dentistry. Although they are more costly than other tooth replacement options, dental implants improve your oral health in various ways, so they are worth the additional cost.

1. Take the pressure off remaining natural teeth

When you are missing several teeth or some of your teeth are broken, you use your remaining healthy teeth more to chew foods. This wears those teeth down faster than normal. Replacing missing or badly damaged teeth with dental implants will allow you to take some of the pressure off your remaining healthy teeth.

2. Stop bone loss in your jawbone

Missing teeth inevitably lead to bone loss in the jawbone. The jawbone responds to the pressure you exert when you chew. If that pressure isn't present because a tooth is missing, your body will absorb some of the bone from the area of the missing tooth since that bone is no longer needed to support the missing tooth. Dental implants replace teeth and prevent bone loss.

3. Stimulate bone growth

Losing teeth also means you lose some bone, especially in the first 12 months after losing a tooth. Dental implants can integrate with your jawbone because they are biocompatible, and thus they stimulate bone growth around them. This strengthens your jaw and improves your facial structure in the process.

4. Allow you to eat nutritious foods

If you eat nutritious foods, your oral health will benefit. But missing or broken teeth prevent you from eating nutritious foods like vegetables and meat. Replacing broken or missing teeth with dental implants will give you back the ability to chew nutritious foods and improve your oral health.

5. Negate the need for dentures and bridges

Dentures can be uncomfortable and awkward. They can also become painful. Dental bridges rely on your natural teeth to act as anchors. These natural teeth have to be worn down to support dental crowns for a dental bridge. Dental implants won't harm your teeth or your gums after placement.

6. Provide a long-lasting tooth replacement

Dental implants can last for many years if you take care of them. They may even last a lifetime. This means you don't have to worry about replacing them as long as you continue to practice good oral hygiene.

7. Reduce the prevalence of tooth decay

Dental implants cannot succumb to dental decay. But damaged teeth can and will likely succumb to dental decay if they are not removed or repaired. To avoid tooth decay, replace damaged teeth with dental implants.