A dental implant is an incredible way to replace a missing tooth! It’s the only restoration treatment that includes a support rod which is inserted directly into your jaw. Once the bone fuses around it, your dentist caps it with a tooth-shaped crown. The end result looks and functions just like the natural pearly white you lost. Because they bond with your bone, dental implants are more supported than other methods and last longer. With the right upkeep, your implant could serve you for 30+ years!
Though dental implants have a high success rate and are incredibly strong, if they aren’t treated well, they can be damaged or even fail altogether. Keep reading to learn 3 habits to avoid if you have a dental implant!
Habit #1: Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco in any form can increase the chances that your dental implant will fail. The nicotine content reduces the oxygen levels in your blood and decreases the flow. This is especially risky immediately following your implant procedure, when the surgical site is still healing. That’s not to say smoking is safe once your jaw has healed. Dental implants can still be severely impacted by nicotine long after they’ve fully healed.
Habit #2: Skipping Your Dental Hygiene Routine
It’s imperative to keep your mouth healthy if you want your dental implant to last. Just because the restoration itself cannot get cavities doesn’t mean that it isn’t impacted by germs. It relies on your gums and jaw for its stability. If microbes flourish under your gum line, for example, you could develop gum disease that results in gum recession. If your gums pull away from the roots of your teeth- and your dental implant- they’re left without any connective support. This could cause your dental implant to fail.
Habit #3: Eating Too Much Sugar
One incredibly popular advantage of dental implants is the lack of dietary restrictions. Once your jawbone fuses with the support rod, it’s essentially permanently embedded. That means the foods you eat won’t dislodge it like they might with other replacement methods.
That said, sugar attracts unhealthy bacteria that cause oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. If you develop conditions that weaken your jaw and gums, your dental implant won’t have what it needs to remain in place.
Now that you know what habits to avoid, you can make the right changes to care for your dental implant properly. That’s the best way to ensure you get to make the most of it for decades to come!
About the Author
Dr. Rachel Clark takes great joy in giving patients beautiful, healthy smiles that boost their confidence. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Wichita State University, and then her dental degree from Creighton University. She’s proud to provide a wide variety of services to you and the whole family, including dental implants. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (316) 847-7730.