Dental implants, often considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, offer a durable and long-term solution for a confident smile. While implants are designed to last a lifetime, certain habits and lifestyle choices can decrease their longevity.
If you want to learn some good habits you can engage in to increase the lifetime of your dental implants, continue reading.
1. Commit to Excellent Oral Hygiene
While dental implants can’t decay the same way normal teeth can, the bacteria in plaque still affect them. Gum disease can loosen the implant in your jawbone, leading to implant failure. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with anti-microbial mouthwash daily is the best way to prevent plaque buildup and increase the life of your implants.
2. Stop Tobacco Use to Help Dental Implants
Tobacco, especially when smoked or chewed, releases hundreds of chemicals into your body. Some of these chemicals are highly corrosive to your teeth, and others will drastically increase the likelihood of gum disease. In fact, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that smokers are twice as likely to contract gum disease as non-smokers.
3. Practice Mindful Eating
Be mindful of your dietary choices to prevent accidental damage to your implants. Avoid biting into extremely hard or sticky foods that can exert excessive force on the implants and surrounding structures.
4. Wear A Mouthguard to Protect Dental Implants
If you play sports or do other physical activities, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and dental implants from potential trauma. Accidents happen, and preventative measures can make all the difference.
5. Moderate Your Alcohol Intake
Indulgent alcohol consumption can damage not only your bodily health but your oral health as well. Moderation is key, as excessive alcohol intake can erode your tooth enamel and contribute to gum disease and other complications that may affect your implants.
6. Manage Stress for Successful Dental Implants
Take time out of your day to practice mindful stress-reducing exercises. Not only does stress affect your immune system, but it can sometimes cause teeth grinding. This condition, known as bruxism, can damage your implants if not properly managed.
Dental implants can provide a lifetime of confident smiles, and your lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in their success. Changing just a few bad habits can not only improve the lifespan of your implants but also improve the overall quality of your life.
About the Author
At Turning Leaf Dental, Dr. Lin Qian and Dr. Daliah Salem provide top-notch dental care for all of their patients. They share a passion for smile transformations, using the latest dental technology to ensure safe, effective, and long-lasting results for dental implants and other restorative treatments. Call (617) 536-5182 to schedule a dental implant consultation or visit the website to learn more.