Missing Teeth & Meat Lovers: 5 Methods To Help Chew Steak For Years

Many people love the taste and texture of biting into a fresh piece of steak or pork chop. When a tooth is missing in your mouth, you may lose the ability to eat tough meats comfortably. Instead of sticking the sirloin in a blender, you can take steps to improve your mouth and ensure that can you fully enjoy your meats for several years to come. The following five tips will help get you in the right direction for correcting your smile and improving the structure in your jaw.

Permanent Dental Bridge

One of your options for replacing a missing tooth is by having a permanent dental bridge installed on the location. Instead of just replacing a single tooth, the bridge attaches securely to the teeth that surround your missing tooth. This helps add strength and structure to your mouth, making it ideal for chewing all types of meats. Some bridges are not fixed, allowing them to be removed for cleaning. By choosing a fixed and permanent bridge, you have the extra strength to chew through the tough foods without causing additional damage to your teeth. By performing a scan of your mouth, a dentist has the ability to make a bridge that forms perfectly to your jaw and will last for numerous years.

Dental Implants

If you have more than one tooth missing, then you may want to consider another tooth replacement process like dental implants. A dental implant features a secure anchor that is actually placed inside your jawbone. Once installed, an artificial tooth is screwed into the anchor so that it lines up with your other teeth and forms a new smile. Because the anchor is fused to the jawbone, you will have the strength and ability to chew through meats like ham, roast beef, and steak. When multiple teeth are missing, you can have implant anchors installed on each area to give you the full stability. After a few meals, you will be used to chewing again and can successfully enjoy all the meats that you love.

Dental Bonding

Along with missing teeth, you may have chipped or worn teeth that do not provide the strength and ability to chew through various meats. Instead of favoring a specific side of your mouth, you can go through a dental process known as bonding. Instead of replacing the whole tooth, dental bonding relies on a special material that is shaped to form like a whole tooth. It is attached to your current tooth and then dried using special equipment. Once the bonding is complete, you will have complete use of your teeth again.

Enamel Strengthening

The protective coat on the outside of your teeth is known as enamel. When this material erodes off your teeth, it can weaken the structure and make it more challenging to chew through various types of meats. By following different procedures, you can strengthen your enamel and ensure that you do not lose any more teeth due to weakening. This is done by brushing daily and avoiding acid with your meals, like juices and soda. If a tooth is on the verge of falling out, a dentist can provide a crown over the tooth. This will add the extra strength, prevent tooth loss, and allow you to chew through meats.

Water Flossing

Anytime you have tooth work done, it's important to maintain that healthy smile. When eating meats, pieces of fat or seasoning like pepper can easily get caught in your teeth. When dealing with teeth replacements like bridges and implants, one of the easiest ways to clean them is with a water flossing device. Water flossing allows you to shoot streams of water between your gums and around the tooth installations. This can help remove any debris in your mouth and should be done shortly after eating a meal that involves a tough and chewy meat.

With some proper planning and adjustments, you can enjoy your favorite meats exactly how you like them. When consulting with a dentist, you should express your love for meat so they can help create a healthy mouth that will work with various situations. For more info, go to websites of local dental professionals to see what services they offer.