If you have lost one or more teeth from an accident or dental disease, you may feel pretty self-conscious. Missing teeth do not just affect your physical appearance. They can also make it more difficult to chew your food and talk clearly. However, you may be able to replace your missing teeth with dental implants.

Here are a few signs that you may be a good candidate for dental implants.

You Have Healthy Gums

In order for dental implants to be successful, you must have healthy gum tissue. Your gums have to close around the dental implant. If your gum tissue is infected or receding, it might not be able to do that. However, if you brush and floss regularly, you may have healthy gum tissue that is ideal for dental implants.

You Do Not Smoke Tobacco

Smoking can be detrimental to your dental health. In addition to increasing your risk of tooth decay and oral cancer, smoking tobacco can make it more difficult to heal from dental implant surgery. It can also cause your dental implants to fail. If you do not currently smoke, you may be a good candidate for implants.

You Have Good Bone Density

Dental implants also require good bone density.  If you do not have enough bone, there will not be enough support for the dental implant. If you do not have quality bone density right now, you may be able to get a bone grafting procedure to increase your bone density.

You Are Committed to Proper Oral Hygiene

Even though dental implants are not your real teeth, they still require regular brushing and flossing. Otherwise, you may develop gum infections and other oral health issues. If you are committed to good oral hygiene, you may be an ideal candidate for dental implants.

You Are Patient

Placing dental implants can be a long process. Depending on how strong your bone is, the process can take several months. After your oral surgeon places the implant in your jawbone, you may need to wait a while to get the crown. As such, you need to be patient and trust the process. Although it seems like a long process, it is completely worth it.

If you have determined that you are a good candidate for dental implants, you should schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon as soon as possible. You deserve to feel good about your smile.