5 COMMON HABITS THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

5 COMMON HABITS THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR DENTAL

IMPLANTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What is Dental Implant

Dental implants are a type of tooth replacement option that fuses with the bone in your jaw to provide supportforafalsetooth,orteeth.Unlikedentures,whichrestontopofthegums,orbridges,whichrelyon adjacentteethforsupport,dentalimplantsareastandalonesolution.

Thefirststepingettingdentalimplantsistohaveaconsultationwithyourdentisttoseeifyou’reagood candidate.Duringthisappointment,yourdentistwilltakeX-raysandimpressionsofyourteethandjawbone to determine the best placement for the implant. Once it’s determined that you are indeed a good candidatefordentalimplants,thenextstepistohavetheimplantplaced.

Thisisdonebymakingasmallincisioninthegumlineandthenplacingthemetalpostoftheimplantinto theholethathasbeendrilledintothejawbone.Theareaisthenstitchedupandallowedtoheal.Itcantake severalmonthsfortheimplanttofusecompletelywiththebonebeforemovingontothenextstage–which isattachingthefalsetooth(orteeth)tothemetalpostoftheimplant.

When done correctly, dental implants can provide patients with a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. However,certainhabitscanputthematriskforfailure.Herearefourcommonhabitsthatcanaffectyour dentalimplants:

Common Habits That Can Affect Your Dental Implants

If you have dental implants, it’s important to be aware of the common habits that can affect them. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Brushing too hard: Brushing your teeth too hard can damage your gums and cause inflammation. This can lead to implant failure or instability.

2. Using a toothpick: Using a toothpick can damage your gums and cause inflammation. This can lead to implant failure or instability.

3. Clenching or grinding your teeth: Clenching or grinding your teeth can damage your implants and cause instability.

4. Eating hard foods: Eating hard foods can damage your implants and cause instability.

5. Smoking: Smoking can damage your implants and cause instability.

Ways to Protect Your Dental Implants

1. To help keep your dental implants clean, brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. In addition to brushing, floss once a day using an interdental brush or proxy brush to help remove plaque from between your teeth and around your gum line.

2. Avoid habits that can put undue stress on your dental implants, such as chewing on hard objects (e.g., ice, hard candy) or using your teeth to open packages.

3. Be cautious when consuming foods that are acidic or high in sugar as they can promote tooth decay and/or gum disease, which can both lead to implant failure. Instead, opt for healthier choices like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

4. Quit smoking or using other tobacco products as they can increase your risk of developing gum disease and other conditions that can lead to implant failure.

Conclusion

Dental implants are a great way to restore your smile, but it is important to keep in mind that there are some common habits that can affect them. It’s essential for implant patients to be aware of these potential risks and make sure they take the necessary steps to protect their dental implants from damage. By following our tips, you can help ensure your dental implants remain healthy and strong for years to come. If you have any questions about how you can better care for your dental implants, don’t hesitate to talk with your dentist about what options may work best for you.