Dental implants might seem attractive to you if you are missing a few teeth in your mouth. Implants can be a wonderful substitute for real teeth, as they are implanted directly into your jawbone and look real. However, if you are like many people, you may not realize that you must get the permission of your dentist for such a procedure. Not everyone is an attractive candidate for implants. Therefore, if you want to convince your dentist that you're a suitable candidate for dental implants, use the following tips.

Practice Consistent Oral Care

To be a great candidate for dental implants, you have to start by having healthy teeth and gums. Allowing a buildup of bacteria inside your mouth may lead to cavities and gum disease, but bacteria can also infect the site of the implant. If that happens, you could get peri-implantitis, a condition where there is some loss of your jawbone at the implant site.

For that reason, if you already have gum disease or have had cavities recently, your dentist might choose to wait before going forward with any dental implants. To prevent problems, brush and floss regularly so that you can avoid cavities and gum disease. If you already have these problems, get them fixed as soon as possible so that you can create a suitable oral environment for implants.

Make Your Bones Strong 

Any dental implants will have to be drilled directly into your jaw. That's why your doctor will first determine the bone density of your jaw to determine whether your jawbone is strong enough support the dental implant. To help ensure your bones are dense and strong, it's a smart idea to eat a diet high in vitamin D and calcium, two nutrients that strengthen bones. Foods high in these substances include milk, cheese, yogurt and dark leafy greens. You can also take calcium and vitamin D supplements. For overall health, you might want to start taking a multi-vitamin as well.

Consider Giving Up Your Smoking Habit

As a smoker, you probably already know that it isn't good for your respiratory system. However, you may not know that it is not good for your teeth and gums either. Smoke might burn your sensitive oral tissues over time. Not only that, but inhaling smoke on a regular basis may lower the amount of blood that flows into your gums. In that case, your mouth might take longer to "accept" the dental implant.

If you want to be a strong candidate for dental implants, you may have to cut down on the amount of cigarettes you smoke, or give up smoking altogether.

Use the above information to make lifestyle changes that will make you a great candidate for dental implants. Contact a center like Oral Surgery Center to learn more.