Think the only benefit of oral implants is an aesthetic one? Five health benefits of having implants fitted

As the name suggests, most forms of cosmetic surgery are solely about improving the cosmetic or aesthetic appearance of a specific area on the body.

Procedures such as dermal fillers or chemical peels are targeted at reducing the appearance of wrinkles by increasing or synthetically placing, natural smoothing agents in the skin. This allows a temporary reprieve from wrinkles, but aside from this, there are rarely any associated health benefits.

However, this is entirely different in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Even the simplest of cosmetic procedures, like dental whitening, can provide additional health benefits. Of course, more complicated treatments, like dental implants in Melbourne,offer patients much more than a restoration of their smile!

But what are the additional health benefits of having oral implants fitted? Read on to find out!

Better digestion

It is easy to forget that the mouth is the first stop in the digestive system.

As soon as we chew food, we rely on the teeth to break it down into smaller chunks for the next step in the process; the stomach.

If you have missing teeth or a complete absence of teeth, breaking down of food is exceedingly difficult. This means that when the food reaches the stomach it is often in larger chunks, which makes it harder to digest and absorb the nutrients from it. Along with this, issues such as indigestion and acid reflux are more prevalent in those who have missing teeth.

Implants fill the gaps left by lost teeth and help any remaining natural teeth to break down food successfully.

Healthier gums

A gap in the smile is much more than a cosmetic inconvenience.

Once the gum has healed after the tooth’s removal, it is rarely cared for as the rest of the mouth is, allowing plaque and bacteria to accumulate on top of it and on the closest natural tooth.

This can lead to inflammation and softening of the gum tissue which, in turn, can cause periodontal diseases like gingivitis.

As implants fill any gaps in the smile with a prosthetic tooth or teeth, there is no longer a way for bacteria to get access to the once exposed gum, leading to better gum health.

Improved nutrition

A varied diet is important for both physical and mental health.

If an individual has missing teeth, they are less likely to consume hard vegetables, nuts or fruit, all of which are very nutritious.

Having implants fitted improves bite strength, so once in place, wearers can bite into those once excluded harder fruit and vegetables and improve their nutritional intake.

Reduction in grinding and bruxism

A person who has missing teeth often finds it harder to relax their jaw.

This is because, unlike a mouth with a full set of teeth, the mouth no longer fits together correctly. While asleep, this misalignment can lead to nocturnal grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism.

Bruxism causes secondary issues like headaches, but with implants filling the gaps, the jaw is able to relax and thus reduces this habitual behaviour.

Disclaimer

All dental treatments carry potential risks. This article is not a substitute for a check-up with your dental practitioner.