When Is A Good Time To Consider Dental Implants?

Your smile. It speaks volumes about you before you even say a word. Our smile is important to our image and the way we view ourselves. That's why it can be a real nightmare if your dental health is in decline.

Tooth loss is nothing to smile about. Here we will go over the symptoms related to tooth decay, why they occur and if dental implants are the proper choice for you.

There have been many advances in the field of dentistry in recent years; dental implants are no exception. Let's look into it now shall we?

The Symptoms

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids - In the beginning stages of tooth decay, you may experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. If you find yourself drinking or eating from one side of your mouth to dull the pain, then this is already happening. 

• Dark brown, grey or black spotting - Beyond this interim stage, you start to see darker spots or maybe even a cavity in the teeth from too much acidity corroding the enamel.

• Cavities (hole in the tooth) - Eventually, you may start to experience bad breath as a result or even a foul taste in your mouth. This is a clear indicator that there is a bigger issue that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

• The final symptom being, of course, tooth loss. This is obviously what folks want to avoid.

All of these symptoms can lead to gum disease (Gingivitis) and tooth loss if left untreated.

So What Causes Tooth Decay?

• Poor dental hygiene - In the beginning stages, these symptoms arise due to poor dental hygiene. It stems from simply not having a daily routine for your teeth. Good habits go a long way when it comes to your dental health.

• Dental fissures (spaces in teeth which trap bacteria) - Crevices or spaces in the teeth can be a hazard here, as well. Fissures in the teeth can trap food and bacteria between the enamel and decay the tooth. Flossing can help with this, but dental work should be considered here.

• Improper nutrition from food choices - Eating the wrong foods and drinks often can also have dire effects on the health of the teeth.

• Foods and drinks high in sugar (food for bacteria) - Foods and drinks high in sugar, acids and carbohydrates are ones to keep away from. Sugary foods are the biggest culprit here. Bacteria in the mouth literally feed off of it to stay alive. Also, dry mouth issues can lead to tooth decay.

Keep these topics in mind for optimal dental and gum health.

Should I Get Implants?

With all of this information in mind, are dental implants right for you? Let's go over some of the benefits so you can decide.

• Your smile will look natural - The most obvious benefit here is your smile. If you have lost teeth or are going to have some extracted, this is a great way to keep your smile.

• Implants prevent decay of the jaw line - Implants preserve the jawbone and keep it from decaying as well. Up to 1/3 of your jaw can have a collapsed appearance from tooth loss.

• Reduced appearance of mouth wrinkles - Implants will also reduce the effects of wrinkles around the mouth area.

• Easier to clean than dentures - It is also far easier to clean dental implants than it is dentures or other quick fixes, the only main difference being a floss threader for flossing.

• Higher self-esteem - Implants also look like your natural teeth, so when you smile, nobody will be the wiser about your implants. This goes a long way to improving self-esteem, as well.

• Will not impede your speech - Furthermore, they will not cause you to have an impediment in your speech due to dentures. It's more difficult to speak naturally with dentures.

As you can see, the benefits of implants are many. Happy smiling!

Dr. Marichia Attalla is a leading Nassau County Periodontist. Learn more by visiting her website at: http://www.nassaucountyperiodontist.com