The Importance of Bone Health for Successful Dental Implants: Tips for Maintaining Jaw Strength

Dental implants are successful if you have sufficient bone mass and density to fuse around the implant when placed in the jawbone. If your jawbone has deteriorated over the years, successful implant surgery may be delayed for several months because bone grafting is required to build up the jaw. Even after you have received implants, maintaining jawbone strength is crucial to prevent the loosening of the implants as you age. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to preserve jaw strength.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Like other bones in your body, your jawbone needs nutrients to stay strong and produce new cells. A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein, and phosphorus contributes to jawbone strength and density. Dairy products, vitamin D fortified foods, and plenty of lean proteins are essential to strong bones. If you don’t get enough nutrients from your diet, ask your doctor for appropriate vitamin supplements.

Calcium Supplements

Many older women, and some men, do not get enough calcium in their diets, leading to osteoporosis, a severe condition that leads to brittle, delicate bones. If you have osteoporosis, calcium supplements are essential to maintain the integrity and strength of the jawbone. If your bones break easily or you do not eat the suggested amount of dairy foods daily, talk to your doctor about calcium supplements and take them regularly before and after implant surgery.

Stop Using Tobacco

Tobacco in any form, including smoking and chewing tobacco, damages the jawbone, making it more porous and reducing density. The honeycomb-like structure that is left can’t properly support dental implants and is more delicate. If you use tobacco regularly, you are more prone to a broken or cracked jaw. Implants are more likely to fail because osseointegration will be more difficult and may not be successful.

Exercise Your Jaw

Exercise your jaw several times a week by doing stretching exercises. Just like any other body part, your jaw benefits from exercise. Try opening your mouth as far as it will go to stretch the jaw out, then slowly close it. Repeat several times. Next, open your mouth and gradually slide your lower jaw back and forth, repeating several times. These exercises can help preserve your jawbone and the surrounding muscles.

Dental Implants Help Preserve Your Jawbone

Before you get dental implants, you must have a strong jawbone to provide stable support for the implants and restorations. However, once your dental implants are in place, they return the favor by helping preserve your jawbone. Because the implant is biocompatible with the surrounding bone, it stimulates the growth of new bone that fuses to it. The result is a jaw that is as strong as, or stronger than, it was before your dental implants were placed.

If you are interested in dental implants, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilbert. At your initial consultation, he will assess your jawbone to determine the health of your jaw and what steps, if any, you need to take to prepare your jaw for surgery.