I believe we can all agree that oral health and self-esteem go hand in hand. Having beautiful, healthy teeth and being able to smile with confidence is something every person wants and more importantly, needs. Dental health is closely linked to general health, which explains why dentists say that taking proper care of our teeth means taking proper care of our overall health as well.
As we all know, caries (or tooth decay) is one of the most common dental conditions which, if not treated on time, can eventually lead to tooth loss. A person can suffer tooth loss also due to gingivitis (gum disease) and injury. Luckily for the unlucky ones, dental implants are here to help restore their smile.
Dental or teeth implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth made of titanium. These metallic anchors are surgically placed into the jawbone, providing a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth. True, dental implants are not inexpensive, but if taken good care of, they will last for a long period of time, probably a lifetime.
Aside from being durable, teeth implants are also comfortable and aesthetically pleasing (they look and feel like real teeth). This means that with the help of dental implants, individuals with missing natural teeth can easily improve their appearance and thus regain their self-confidence. Being able to eat whenever and wherever they want, as well as smile and laugh shamelessly, is one of the strongest reasons people choose to replace their missing teeth with implant-supported artificial ones.
Compared to dentures and tooth-supported bridges, dental implants have many advantages. First of all, unlike traditional tooth-supported bridges, dental implants don’t require reducing the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. When replacing one or more teeth with teeth implants, all of the healthy natural teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral and overall health. Individual implants also improve oral hygiene, as they allow easier access between teeth.
Furthermore, implant-supported replacement teeth allow the person with missing natural teeth to speak clearly and understandably, whereas a poor-fitting denture can cause them to mumble or slur their words, which can be a rather embarrassing experience. If your job requires communicating with other people, then you definitely know what I am talking about.
When it comes to caring for dental implants, you should know that they, just like natural teeth, require regular brushing and flossing as well as regular cleanings and check-ups. Talk about convenience!
