When you finally get dental implants, you may be excited about their many benefits. You get to eat foods more comfortably while keeping your jawbone strong. Better yet, they can last a lifetime with the proper care. While you’re likely to fall into the impressive 98% success rate, there is a rare chance you end up in the 5% of patients who experience failure. To help avoid this, here are four tips that you should follow.
1.) Don’t Skip Your Oral Hygiene
Dental implants act like real teeth, but they can’t get cavities. However, this doesn’t mean they are immune to bacteria in your mouth, as the supporting tissues around it can still get attacked. Your gums and jawbone can get infected, causing your tooth replacement to become wobbly.
A simple way to avoid this is by brushing and flossing! Do them twice a day, and you can effectively remove plaque that can spell trouble. Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash, and you’re all set for a clean implant.
2.) Break Bad Habits
Certain lifestyle habits you have, like using tobacco, can affect the longevity of your full smile. Smoking and chewing it increases your risk of gum disease while also drying out your mouth. You won’t be able to produce enough saliva during the latter, so bacteria will be able to linger longer and affect your implant. It’s best if you quit entirely or reduce your habits after surgery, but drink lots of water regardless.
Chewing ice and pen caps are also some other habits you should break. They put too much pressure, which can cause chips and cracks. Try to find other fidget options, like a stress ball that won’t put your oral health in harm’s way.
3.) Avoid Certain Foods
Just like natural teeth, some foods are too tough on your grin. Hard items like candies, nuts, and seeds can damage your tooth replacement. You should try your best to avoid them, but cravings are normal. Instead, take extra caution when eating them, let sugary things dissolve, or choose a safer option to indulge in.
4.) Schedule Regular Visits with Your Dentist
Last but not least, keep up with visits to your dentist! They are trained to spot the early signs of dental implant failure. By giving them a chance to look at them every six months with checkups, they can spot it early and give you the treatment you need to avoid it from happening. That way, you keep your full smile the best it can be for a lifetime.
About the Practice
At My Riverdale Dentist, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Ashli Cumberbatch and Dr. Kathleen Lu. We are happy to help the local community feel confident about their grins with reliable treatments to replace missing teeth. By coming to us for dental implants, we can place them in-house, so you stay with a team you trust throughout. If you want to know how you can protect your investment, schedule an appointment or call our office at (301) 927-8478.