3 Important Reasons Why Dental Implants Are Healthier Than Dentures

If you've lost teeth, or if you're going to have teeth extracted, then it's time to consider your tooth replacement options. Dentures and dental implants are two of the most common choices, and they each have their own pros and cons. Dentures are less expensive, for example, while dental implants are more aesthetically pleasing. However, it turns out that dental implants may be the best choice not just for your mouth, but for your overall health. Take a look at some important reasons why dental implants are healthier than dentures.

Maintain a Healthier Diet

While dentures are better than no teeth, you lose a significant amount of your bite power when you choose dentures. No matter how much adhesive you use, the dentures aren't anchored into your mouth as firmly as your natural teeth, or as firmly as dental implants, which are held in place by a titanium post that takes the place of the tooth root.

Because it's impossible to bite down as easily with dentures, you may find certain foods out of bounds. Tough meats and crisp raw fruits and vegetables may become too difficult to bother with. You can wind up either skipping these food entirely, which is bad for you nutritionally, or not chewing these foods completely, which is bad for your digestive system. Opting for implants will allow you maintain a healthy and varied diet that you can consume normally.

Avoid Dangerous Germs

Dental implants remain in place, and to clean them all that you have to do is brush them like you would your natural teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, have to be removed to be cleaned. Cleaning usually takes place in several stages: the dentures need to be brushed, rinsed, and soaked.

The problem is, it's not always easy to consistently clean your dentures properly, and when neglected, they can become a breeding ground for germs. Experts warn that improperly cleaned dentures may even contain MRSA, a dangerous treatment-resistant bug. Of course, there are ways to make sure that your dentures are sterilized, including soaking them in germicidal mouthwash and even putting them in the microwave. But it's still simpler and safer to have implants that won't sit around collecting germs and bacteria when you're not using them.

Prevent Bone Loss

When one or several teeth are missing from your jaw, you'll eventually start to experience bone loss. This causes your jaw to shorten, which may loosen additional teeth and lead to infection. Bone loss also causes your face to appear sunken.

Although dentures allow you to use your jaw when eating or speaking, they sit on top of the gums and don't do anything to stimulate bone growth or prevent bone loss. Dental implants, on the other hand, are implanted into the jaw bone. Their presence will, at a minimum, help maintain the amount of bone you already have. They can even stimulate new bone growth.

Dental implants are clearly the healthier choice when it comes to tooth replacement. If you're in the market for new teeth, ask your dentist, like NYC Center for Dental Implants, if you're a candidate for dental implants. 


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