Once you get to your results with dental implants, you get to enjoy a full smile that feels and looks natural. You worked so long and hard to get a perfect grin, so you should be sure to treat it kindly. It’s an investment after all, so you deserve to get use out of this tooth replacement for a lifetime! An easy way you can protect it is by breaking certain bad habits. Here are four that may increase your risk of failure and how you can stop them.
1.) Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Using tobacco can be harmful to your smile and dental implants. Not only can it cause stains, but it can also affect how well you heal after placement surgery and your jawbone density well after recovery. You may be at a higher risk of gum disease, which can make your tooth replacement feel wobbly. It’s best if you quit entirely, so try to distract yourself with other hobbies, such as working out.
2.) Using Your Teeth as Tools
If you were just handed an item in plastic packaging, you may use your teeth to rip it open. It may seem easier than finding scissors, but using your bite can be harmful. This simple action can put your implant under excess stress, causing damage. You may find yourself with a chip or crack, needing to replace the restoration much sooner than expected. Take the quick minute it takes to find the right tool and keep your smile strong.
3.) Gnawing On Ice or Pen Caps
Some habits people have are chewing on ice, pens, or their fingernails. As harmless as these may seem, they very much aren’t. Not only for your dental implant, but your natural teeth as well! They put your grin under a lot of stress, possibly causing chips or cracks. Instead, find another way to fidget, whether that’s with a stress ball or another item.
4.) Not Doing Your Oral Hygiene Routine
A big threat to dental implants is bacteria. While they can’t get cavities, the surrounding structures can still get infected and attacked. By not brushing or flossing, you increase your risk of gum disease, which makes the tooth replacement unstable.
Thankfully, all you have to do at home is brush twice a day and floss at least once. That way, you remove any harmful plaque that can spell bad news. Not only that, but also have regular checkups with your dentist. They will be able to monitor any changes to your smile and tooth replacement and take steps to avoid any problems or stop them before they get major.
Avoid these bad habits above, and you can do your part in preventing implant failure, so you get the most out of your investment in your full grin.
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Cannady earned his dental degree from the Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. He has since taken nearly 300 hours of continuing education, using some of that time to learn about dental implants and receive advanced training. With this knowledge and experience, Dr. Cannady can place and restore this tooth replacement in-office, ensuring you stay with a team you trust. If you want to learn how you can care for your implant, schedule an appointment or call his office at (727) 441-3523.