Sedation Clinics
Dental implants are one of the most durable tooth replacement options there is. One study found that nearly 95% of them last for at least 20 years with proper maintenance. With a success rate that high, you might think that your dental implants are invincible.
Unfortunately, that’s far from the case. There are actually a few bad habits that could put your dental implants seriously at risk. Here are the most common examples of habits to avoid.
Chewing Non-Foods
If you chew on pens, bite your nails, crunch ice, or are in the habit of opening packages with your teeth, that could put a lot of undue pressure on your dental implant. The crown that sits on top of it is often made out of porcelain, which is not strong enough to bite safely onto things that aren’t food. While the titanium post itself should be fine, it doesn’t do you very much good without the porcelain crown on top of it.
Smoking
Smoking can wreak havoc on your mouth in a wide variety of ways. It increases your odds of contracting gum disease and stunts the growth of bone, both of which can put the integrity of your dental implant at risk. In fact, one Italian study found that smokers were 14% more likely to lose their dental implant when compared to non-smokers.
If you smoke, it’s recommended that at the very least you quit for two weeks before and ninety days after the dental implant surgery to allow for proper healing. However, as you can probably guess, the best thing you can do is quit smoking entirely.
Neglecting Hygiene
The biggest long-term risk to your dental implants is an infection, which can result from untreated gum disease. You should make it a point to see your dentist often in the months after the procedure for checkups and cleanings.
Daily dental hygiene is also important in staving off that sort of infection. Flossing with dental implants can be a little tricky; it’s important not to push down too hard, as you could potentially break the seal between the dental implant and the gums. However, once you master it, flossing each day and brushing twice a day will become second nature again.
About the Author
At Dental Wellness of Lexington, we can guarantee high-quality dental care in an environment that’s sure to make you happy and comfortable. We have four dentists on staff, which means that we can address a wide variety of oral health issues and give you the one-on-one personalized care that you deserve.
If you have any questions about how best to care for your dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (859) 223-4644.