Dental implants are a reliable and long-lasting way to replace missing teeth, restoring both your smile and your confidence. However, like natural teeth, dental implants require proper care to keep them healthy and functional for years to come.
Avoiding certain habits is essential to protect your investment and ensure your implants stay in excellent condition.
Why Protecting Your Dental Implants Matters
Dental implants are designed to function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile confidently. While they are durable, they are not indestructible. Certain bad habits can increase the risk of implant failure, gum disease, or damage to the surrounding bone, which may require additional dental work. By understanding what habits to avoid, you can help your dental implants last a lifetime.
Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools
Using your teeth to open packages, bite nails, or tear off tags can damage your dental implants and your natural teeth. These habits put unnecessary pressure on your implants, which can cause chips, cracks, or loosen the implant over time. Instead, use scissors or proper tools for tasks to protect your teeth and implants from damage.
Skip Chewing on Hard Objects
Chewing on ice, pens, or hard candies may seem harmless, but these habits can place excessive force on your dental implants. Even though implants are strong, they can still crack or cause wear on the dental crowns placed over them. Choose softer snacks and avoid chewing on non-food objects to maintain the longevity of your implants.
Don’t Ignore Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Good oral hygiene is critical for maintaining healthy gums and the bone structure around your dental implants. Skipping brushing or flossing can lead to plaque buildup, increasing your risk of gum disease, which can compromise the stability of your implants. Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and consider using tools like water flossers to clean around your implants effectively.
Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Smoking can interfere with the healing process after dental implant placement and increase the risk of implant failure. It also raises the chances of developing gum disease, which can affect your implants in the long term. Excessive alcohol consumption can also slow down healing and contribute to poor oral health. If you have implants, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake can help protect your oral health.
Protect Your Implants for Long-Term Success
By avoiding these bad habits, you can help ensure your dental implants remain strong and functional for years to come, protecting your smile and your investment.
About the Practice
Dr. Patel and Dr. Gandhi of Advanced Smile Design specialize in high-quality dental implants that look and feel like natural teeth. The practice offers personalized treatment plans and comprehensive guidance to help patients protect their dental implants and maintain optimal oral health. Whether you are considering dental implants or seeking care for your existing implants, come see our dynamic dental team.
Call us at (215) 659-3334 or request an appointment online.
