Everyone deserves stunning teeth, no matter their age. As you age, so do your teeth, so implants can be essential to keeping your mouth healthy and your smile bright. Dental implants are a great option for seniors and older adults. Implants sustain a healthy smile, keeping it intact and sustainable throughout your life.
Tooth Loss as a Senior
As you get older, teeth naturally get decay, spots, and damage. You may even have missing teeth from accidents or severe infections. Tooth loss can severely damage your self-esteem and give you an imperfect smile.
Tooth loss can also affect your dental health. It can leave your teeth and gums susceptible to infection. Your teeth can also shift when you lose a tooth or have tooth damage. Thankfully, dental implants resolve severely damaged or missing teeth!
Preventing Decay
While your teeth may naturally age as you do, you can do much to help your teeth age gracefully. Here are some oral health essentials that will help your teeth keep healthy as you get older.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day, preferably when you brush your teeth. Additionally, you can use a water pick.
- If you have a toothache or notice discoloration, immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist.
- If you use a retainer or dentures be sure that they are properly cleaned before and after you use them to prevent bacterial growth.
- Avoid sugary foods like sodas and sticky candy.
- Eat lots of high-vitamin foods like carrots, celery, and apples.
Preserving Your Smile With Dental Implants
As you get older, your smile should stay stunning. One way to do this is to replace missing teeth with dental implants. Because implants are attached to your jaw, they preserve your smile, keeping it healthy and happy. They are more convenient than dentures because they will hold your smile in place and free you from worrying about shifting teeth. You will not have to take an implant in or out like dentures.
Implants prevent jawbone decay as well as shifting teeth, keeping your oral health preserved as you go through life.
Implant Options
Implants can either be topped with a regular crown, implant-supported dentures, or an implant bridge. Your dentist will consult with you to give you a customized approach to your implant. All implants are inserted into your jawbone.
- Dentures: A great option if you’re missing most of your teeth. Your dentist will only need to place 4–6 implants to support an entire arch of teeth!
- Bridges: Bridges are often used when you’re missing several teeth in a row. They “bridge” the gap between your teeth.
- Crowns: A custom crown will be made to go on top of your implant. They look just like your natural teeth and are permanently attached to your implant.
Benefits of Implants for Seniors
Implants can be a very beneficial decision for seniors. Most importantly they help you keep the stunning smile that you have always had. They also:
- Last a long time. Implants can last up to 20 years, and the restorations are easily replaceable.
- Prevent jawbone deterioration, which can happen if you lose a tooth and do not treat it.
- Keep your smile aesthetically pleasing, fixing gaps and damaged teeth.
- Keep your smile straight by preventing shifting teeth.
- Improve your oral health.
Schedule Today
If you are a senior struggling with tooth loss, implants can be a permanent solution to your concerns. Protect your oral health and your beautiful smile with implants from Vibrant Dental. Schedule an appointment with us for a consultation!