Your habits make or break you, and this is especially true for your dental implants. While they are made from durable and high-quality materials like porcelain, ceramic, and titanium, dental implants can still become damaged or even fail if they are abused or not properly cared for. Unfortunately, many people have some bad habits that can dramatically decrease an implant’s life expectancy. Here are some bad habits to kick so your dental implants can last for as long as possible.
It Ain’t No Joke: Kick the Smoke
Tobacco use, whether in a smoked or chewed form, is terrible for your oral health and the health of the rest of your body as well. When exposed to the chemicals in tobacco, your gums will harden to protect themselves. Frequently hardening in this manner can become exhausting for your gums and cause them to atrophy. Nicotine also has the side effect of making your blood vessels constrict which makes it harder for your gums (and the rest of your body) to heal and fight infections. Dental implants need healthy and strong gums to be successful, so tobacco use is a common culprit behind implant failure.
Having Artificial Teeth Doesn’t Mean You Can Skip Oral Hygiene
Many people might think that, since dental implants are made from porcelain and titanium, getting them means they don’t have to worry about oral hygiene anymore. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While dental implants are immune to tooth decay, they still require healthy gums and jawbones to support them. If the patient skips oral hygiene, harmful oral bacteria will multiply rapidly and cause infections like gingivitis and periodontitis that can destroy gum tissue and erode the mass of the jawbone. Be sure to brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash after getting implants.
Only a Fool Uses His Teeth as Tools
People commonly use their teeth to open bottles or packages or relieve stress by chewing on ice or office supplies. All of these are terrible habits that can lead to chips, cracks, and tooth loss or even a dislodged dental implant. To make sure your implant stays put in your jawbone, only use your teeth and implants for smiling and chewing.
Dental implants can serve a patient for a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. By steering clear of these habits, you can ensure that your oral health investment can last for as long as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Daood Alvi earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Minnesota and regularly expands his clinical skillset by pursuing continuing education courses focusing on topics like endodontics, dental implant restorations, and cosmetic dentistry. His office in Temple, TX offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant treatments. For more information on caring for your dental implants, contact his office online or dial (254) 727-7144.