Autumn has arrived, kicking off the start of another holiday season. After Halloween comes Thanksgiving, making this an ideal time to pause and reflect on all the things you’re grateful for this year.
For instance, you might be happy about good health or the presence of beloved family or friends. But if you have replaced missing teeth with dental implants, you have plenty of additional reasons to celebrate. Continue reading to learn about 3 benefits of your new restorations that you can be glad for this fall!
Reason #1: They Protect Your Facial Structure
Did you know that the jawbone thins after tooth loss? It starts thinning without as many roots to stimulate new bone growth, causing the muscles, ligaments, and tissues connected to it to grow slack.
This can alter your appearance, as it can cause a protruding chin, sunken cheeks, or more facial wrinkles. Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that prevent this because, unlike dentures or dental bridges, they include a support post that’s embedded directly into the jaw. They eventually fuse with the bone to function more like natural teeth, helping strengthen your jawbone to support your facial structure. That means you’ll look and feel like your most beautiful self for all the family photos that are sure to be taken over the holidays.
Reason #2: They Come with Fewer Dietary Restrictions
Once you’ve recovered from dental implant placement, your new teeth are so firmly rooted in your mouth that they’re unlikely to become destabilized or dislodged. That means you can enjoy more of your favorite foods, like a traditional turkey meal at Thanksgiving, without worrying that your prosthetics will fall out mid-meal or conversation.
That said, you might accidentally damage them if you eat anything overly hard or crunchy, like nuts, seeds, or hard breads, so you may want to avoid these snacks and appetizers if they’re being offered.
Reason #3: They’re Easier to Maintain
Whether you’re going home to see family and friends or use holiday breaks to explore new places you’ve never visited before, it’s common to be making travel plans this time of year. You’ll need to pack everything you need, including oral hygiene products, which can be easier with dental implants than other restorations.
For instance, you can brush and floss them like natural teeth, so you don’t need to pack extra accessories like soaking solutions, special brushes, or adhesives. All you need is a travel-sized toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, and floss to help keep your teeth and gums clean all season.
Whether you’ve had dental implants for years or are a new patient seeking a reliable solution for tooth loss, there are plenty of reasons to be glad for these resilient restorations this autumn!
Meet the Author
Dr. Sean Altenbach is an award-winning dentist who is passionate about helping improve his patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Florida and stays current with up-to-date technology and treatment options by participating in professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He has the experience and equipment to offer start-to-finish dental implant services in the office for your convenience. You can request an appointment on the website or call the office at (904) 448-0441.