Dental implants are considered the golden standard in tooth replacement because they look and behave exactly like the real thing and can last for decades with proper care. However, just because they are superior does not mean they are invincible, and there are certain behaviors that can lead them to fail. Here are a few habits to break after getting dental implants.
Habit #1: Using Your Teeth for Anything but Chewing
Your teeth are specially designed for smiling and chewing, and anything else you use them for counts as abusing them. In this regard, dental implants are no different than natural teeth, and using them as tools can severely damage them. After you get dental implants, it is time to swear off using your teeth to open bottles, tear open packages, reshape small parts, or chew on non-food items like ice, paperclips, and toothpicks.
Habit #2: Skipping Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Skipping brushing and flossing wasn’t a good idea before you got dental implants and it won’t be a good idea afterward, either. While dental implants are immune to tooth decay, they can fail as a result of gum disease. A daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and antibacterial mouthwash eliminates food debris and keeps the bacterial population in your mouth at manageable levels. If these bacteria are not managed, they will infect the gums, potentially leading to dental implant failure.
Habit #3: Tobacco
Tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, is the leading cause of dental implant failure, especially during the healing process after the implants are first placed. The gums harden in response to inhaled smoke, and nicotine causes the blood vessels within them to constrict. Both of these effects can hamper the healing process and make the surgical sites more vulnerable to infection. The period immediately after receiving dental implants is a great time to kick the tobacco habit for good.
Habit #4: Putting Off Your Dental Appointments
Seeing your dentist regularly is still crucial to your oral health even if all of your real teeth have been replaced with dental implants. Frequent dentist appointments allow your mouth to receive the attention of a trained professional so that issues can be caught in their early stages before they become big problems. They also allow you to receive medical advice regarding your dental hygiene routine. Regular dental appointments can make the difference between an implant failing and it being healthy for life.
About the Practice
Jupiter Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry delivers fully personalized dental care to patients in Jupiter, FL. Led by Drs. Shane and Amiee Vaughn, the staff provides old-fashioned one-on-one care with the latest techniques and technology. Areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant treatments. For more information on keeping your dental implants healthy for life, contact the office online or dial (561) 559-8942.