Dental Implants: A Saving Grace for Athletes

Dental implants are one of the most often-recommended ways of replacing a tooth that’s been lost, and patients of all stripes can benefit from what they have to offer. However, there are some patients that can get more out of dental implants than others, and for some types of people, they may even be a necessity.

Athletes are an excellent example. They lose teeth often in accidents, and while other methods of tooth replacement can help them, dental implants tend to be perfect for their unique needs. Here are a few reasons why that’s the case.

Why Dental Implants Are Perfect for Athletes

Vigorous exercise provides plenty of opportunities to get injured, and if you need to replace a tooth as a result, here are a few reasons why dental implants could be a great choice.

Nothing to Keep Track Of

If you have a removable tooth replacement option, like dentures, it’s usually a good idea to take them out before a big game. Otherwise, they may come loose, lost, or stepped on. However, this just gives you one more thing to keep track of, and another opportunity to lose them. Dental implants remain firmly in your mouth, meaning that you have nothing to keep track of.

Better Jaw Strength

As an athlete, there’s nothing worse than a glass jaw. If you’re missing teeth, it’s natural for the jaw to shrink over time due to disuse, like a muscle that hasn’t been worked. This weakens your jawbone over time, affecting your appearance and making you more prone to injury.

Caring For Implants as an Athlete

One of the nice things about dental implants is that caring for them is easy. You can maintain them just the same as you would your natural teeth—brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.

You may also want to invest in a professional mouthguard. This will protect both your new implant and the rest of the teeth you have.

About the Author

Dr. George T. Philip is a true blue Texan, and feels enormously proud of the fact that he can help as many members of his community as possible to get their dream smiles. He believes that a strong personal relationship is critically important to high-quality dentistry, and always relishes the opportunity to meet someone new as a part of his work. Dr. Philip received his degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.

If you have any questions about dental implants, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (972) 285-6144.