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Jawbone Health: Why It’s Important and How to Improve It
March 25, 2023
People don’t often think about their jawbones. They just sit there, doing what nature intended them to do for a lifetime.
However, jaw health is more important than you might think.
This post explains why. We take a look at how it can impact your health and what you can do to improve it.
So without further ado, let’s take a look.
Jawbone health is essential because of your jaw’s role in your face.
Your jawbone is made of living tissue that constantly undergoes a cycle of formation and resorption. This means that old bone cells are broken down and replaced by new ones. It is a totally natural process that goes on for your whole life.
However, if resorption happens at a higher rate than it can be replaced, it can decrease your bone mass, disrupting your face shape and making you ineligible for dental implants.
The risks of a weakening jawbone are significant. For instance, it can lead to:
It can also increase the risk of various conditions, such as abscesses and ulcers. It can even affect your mental well-being and self-esteem, causing depression.
Fortunately, you can do plenty of things to improve jawbone health and speed up recovery. Here’s everything you need to know.
Brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent gum disease, which is a significant cause of jawbone loss.
Always ensure you get all the gunk out between the nooks and crannies in the teeth.
Good oral hygiene also helps prevent plaque buildup, which can contribute to bone loss as bacteria become more entrenched.
Also, ensure you eat a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients that can help strengthen the jawbone.
Center your consumption around dairy, leafy greens, and oily fish. Try to avoid foods that don’t contain as much nutrition.
Unfortunately, both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to gum disease.
Bacteria build up in the mouth because of the weakened gumline, eventually causing the jawbone to lose material.
By contrast, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve jawbone health. Who would have thought?
The human jaw relies on resistance to make it grow stronger.
Without it, it starts to atrophy, like a regular muscle. Therefore, do exercises like jaw stretches and opening and closing your mouth.
These can strengthen the bone over time, helping you recover your original facial shape.
Lastly, dental prosthetics, such as dental implants, can replace missing teeth and help maintain jawbone health by stimulating bone growth.
They subject the bone to more force during chewing, encouraging the body to make more tissue.
More Reading
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on various healthcare conditions to promote quality healthcare.
The advice in our material is not meant to replace a qualified healthcare practitioner’s management of your specific condition.
Don’t hesitate to contact a health practitioner to discuss your condition or reach us directly here.
Image Credits: Canva
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