3 Things No One Tells You About Living With Dental Implants Day to Day

Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to missing teeth that goes far beyond just restoring your smile. With implants, you can also enjoy a better quality of life. Here are three things you should know about dental implants that you might not have heard before.

1. They feel so natural, you may forget they’re not your real teeth.

Living with missing teeth comes with serious oral health and lifestyle problems. However, not all tooth replacement solutions deliver the same quality of life. Full and partial dentures help a lot of people, but they leave something to be desired when it comes to offering the same feeling as natural teeth.

Dental implants are a different story. These replacement teeth have a strong foundation because they’re embedded in the jawbone. This completely changes how they feel during day-to-day life. It’s the closest solution to having natural teeth in terms of experience and comfort.

With strong and stable teeth implants, you don’t have to worry about clicking, slipping, or shifting. Traditional dentures simply sit on the gums, so they can move about quite freely. Even with dental adhesives, this poses problems when eating and speaking. Dental implants keep you comfortable throughout the entire range of motion.

It’s also much easier to adapt to the daily routine of having dental implants compared with dentures. No more worrying about dental adhesives, removing appliances, or using special denture cleaning solutions. Instead, your oral hygiene routine will be largely the same as with natural teeth.

This extends to the confidence that comes with a full smile as well. When you don’t need to be concerned about your replacement teeth moving unexpectedly, you’ll be able to fully enjoy any type of social situation. Your new smile will let you make the most of life instead of shying away from opportunities.

2. You can eat (almost) anything again.

Dental implants look great, but that’s far from their biggest benefit. They are also an excellent functional replacement for natural teeth. The stability provided by the implants lets you maintain a virtually unchanged diet, so you can go back to the foods you love instead of having to pick and choose.

With dentures, crunchy and crisp foods can pose a problem. Biting into apples, carrots, and other fresh produce risks dislodging your dentures. Dental implants, on the other hand, are perfectly solid, letting you crunch through these healthy treats with power.

Dental implants have their foundation in the jawbone instead of just sitting on the gums. This enables you to make full use of your natural bite force to enjoy steak, chicken, and other firm and chewy foods. You’ll be able to avoid uncomfortable slips while chewing as well.

This is where confidence enters the picture again. Dining out won’t be a concern anymore, as you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions or potential embarrassment due to slips and shifts. Whether it’s a celebratory dinner or a simple lunch with friends, you can truly be yourself.

3. They still need care just like natural teeth.

While most people focus on the benefits of dental implants, it’s also important to consider the ongoing care they require. You’ll need to keep up a proper oral hygiene routine. Fortunately, caring for dental implants is basically the same as with natural teeth.

Make sure to brush twice each day and floss. The bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease are still present, regardless of whether you have implants.

Brushing removes plaque deposits that can contribute to decay in remaining natural teeth, gum disease, bad breath, and discoloration. Flossing does the same for the nooks and crannies between teeth and near the gumline.

A dental implant consists of artificial teeth, whether a crown or a full-arch replacement, and the implant itself. The implant penetrates gum tissue to extend into the jawbone. This means that gum disease is still a concern with dental implants. You don’t want bacteria entering this area, so consistent oral hygiene is important.

If you have existing gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend treatment or lifestyle changes before you can get your implants. Once you have them, keeping up with healthy habits will help you enjoy your dental implants for years to come.

Trust in a simple upgrade with a big impact.

Dental implants could be the right choice to improve your everyday comfort and confidence. They can provide a strong, beautiful smile that’s as close to natural teeth as possible. To find out more about dental implants near Great Falls, MT, come by and speak with Stephen J. Spencer, DDS. Schedule your appointment today to get started.