Dental implants aren’t just lifelike in appearance, unmatched in stability, and the only tooth-replacement solution that replaces both the root and crown of your teeth; they also have an impressive success rate of over 95%. That said, it is possible for them to “fail” (i.e., come loose, fall out, etc.).
The best way to prevent that from happening is by incorporating healthy habits into your routine while simultaneously removing bad ones. More specifically, patients with dental implants are encouraged to:
1. Take Great Care of Your Smile At Home
Remember, while your dental implants cannot decay, they won’t last long if you don’t take good care of your smile. To put it simply – even if you don’t have any of your natural teeth left – you need to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently. In addition to keeping your breath fresh, habits like these will help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other common dental problems.
2. Don’t Smoke
Cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products can delay healing, contribute to inflammation, and increase your risk of gum disease. For all of those reasons, patients are encouraged not to smoke in the weeks leading up to the procedure as well as the months and years afterward. Naturally, this is easier said than done, so don’t hesitate to let your dentist know if you’ve had trouble quitting in the past.
3. Wear a Mouthguard
Wearing a mouthguard during physical activities, like riding your bike and running, can protect your smile from several common dental injuries, including a knocked-out tooth. Patients are also encouraged to wear a nightguard if they grind or clench their teeth at night. That way, their restoration doesn’t break under the pressure, requiring it to be replaced sooner than anticipated.
4. Be Selective About What You Eat
While dental implants don’t come with any dietary restrictions, there are some foods that are more harmful than helpful. Caramel-filled candies, peanut brittle, hard pretzels, and taffy are a few examples. Instead, patients are encouraged to fill their plates with nutrient-dense foods that will benefit both their oral and overall health, like cottage cheese, oatmeal, plain yogurt, and bananas.
5. Prioritize Your Biannual Dental Visits
There’s a common misconception that dentists just look for cavities. The truth is that they do so much more – from conducting an oral cancer screening to examining the condition of your gums. So, it’s important for both the longevity of your dental implants and your overall health that you schedule an appointment every six months.
About the Practice
Tooth loss can take a serious toll on your self-esteem, your diet, and even your relationships. That’s why our team at Meadow Park Family Dentistry takes so much pride in offering solutions, like state-of-the-art dental implants. We even offer sedation dentistry, convenient hours (including Saturdays), and affordable payment options so the entire treatment process is smooth and stress-free too! If you are interested in scheduling a consultation, visit our website or call (817) 464-8655.