How can dental implants help improve your overall health?

If you have a missing tooth or teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. Luckily, there are options available, like dental implants, to help you improve your oral health and boost your overall health as well. At Compass Dental Group in Maryville, Missouri, we want you to feel your best and have many reasons to smile. So, if you have been considering dental implants to fix your smile imperfections, but you’re not entirely sure what they’re all about, keep on reading!

What are dental implants?

First, you may be wondering what exactly dental implants are. Dental implants are a form of restorative dentistry that aims to replace missing teeth while preserving any surrounding teeth. A dental implant is a small threaded post that is surgically implanted into the gums as a replacement root for a tooth. The abutment, or artificial tooth you can see above the gumline, is then screwed into the post. These new teeth are custom-made, tooth-colored ceramic pieces that are designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.

So, what are some of the health benefits of replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant?

Improved Oral Health

Because dental implants are securely implanted into the space of a missing tooth, they can help prevent bone loss and maintain the jaw’s structure while also providing structure and stability so surrounding teeth don’t shift or move. This not only helps your surrounding teeth stay healthy and in place, but it also ensures the overall health of your jaw and gums. 

Enhanced Digestion and Nutrition

If you are missing multiple teeth, you may find that you have issues biting or chewing certain foods. With a dental implant, you won’t have to worry anymore! Once healed, dental implants function like natural teeth, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy eating foods that may have previously given you issues, like crunchy vegetables, nuts, or meat.

Without these food restrictions, you’ll be able to eat a wider variety of food, allowing you to consume a healthier diet that incorporates all of the food groups. Don’t forget that proper chewing can also lead to improved digestion, which is important when it comes to retaining the essential vitamins and minerals in the foods we eat.

Boosted Confidence and Mental Well-Being

People who have dental issues are often self-conscious about their conditions and, as a result, tend to not smile as much. Some will even avoid social situations so they don’t have to worry about their smile and teeth. Those who have chosen to take control of their oral health and make improvements to their smile with dental implants have said that they experienced a boost in their confidence after the procedure since they no longer feel like they have to hide their dental imperfections.

Improved confidence can also boost your mental health. People who smile often tend to be happier in general, meaning their mental health tends to be better than those who don’t smile. Dental implants can give you the confidence to smile bigger and openly engage in more social situations. And since humans are social creatures, surrounding yourself with people and activities can lead to a much happier life.

Reduced Risk of Future Oral Health Issues

Because dental implants are designed to help strengthen the jawbone and surrounding tissues, they can help decrease the risk of future oral health issues, like gum disease and further tooth loss. If, however, your tooth loss is caused by gum disease, you’ll need to visit your dentist and get professional treatment for it before you can receive a dental implant. Once your gum disease has been treated, you may be able to move forward with restorative treatment.

Contact Compass Dental Group for a consultation today!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants to correct tooth loss, schedule a consultation appointment today. Our Compass Dental Group team can provide you with a complete dental evaluation and assess your individual dental needs.

Remember, good oral health is key to good overall health, so if you are dealing with tooth loss and are looking to make an improvement in your smile, contact Compass Dental Group in Maryville, Missouri, today!