Dental implants offer many important advantages, not the least of which is their longevity. In many cases, well-placed implant posts can potentially last 30 years, or even a lifetime. Of course, the care you give your replacement teeth will have a significant impact on their lifespan. You may want to think of making a few basic changes to your lifestyle in order to get as many years of use out of your dental implants as possible; here are just 3 examples of steps you can take that might help.
1. Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Dental implants can’t develop cavities, but the gum tissue around them is still susceptible to infection. If you develop gum disease around your implant posts, it can significantly damage the tissues responsible for supporting them. Thus, good oral hygiene is a must for protecting your dental implants.
Chances are that you already brush your teeth at least twice a day. However, you should also start flossing daily if you don’t already. Flossing is essential for removing harmful bacteria and food particles from the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies around your implant posts. You may also want to think of adding antibacterial mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. This can help kill the bacteria that can potentially cause gum disease.
2. Drop Bad Habits That Can Put Dental Implants at Risk
Do you sometimes bite on your fingernails or the end of your pen when you’re nervous? Do you tear open troublesome packages with your teeth? Do you sometimes chew on ice when you’re finished with your drink? These habits may not seem particularly harmful on the surface, but they can seriously damage your dental implants in the long run.
It’s a good idea to take note of any habits that could potentially put your implant posts at risk. Once you’re aware of them, you can take the appropriate steps to break them before they lead to serious harm.
3. Make Some Adjustments to Your Diet
Certain foods can potentially cause problems for dental implants. Sugary foods can increase your risk for gum disease, and sticky foods might pull the prosthesis off the implant posts. On the other hand, there are a number of foods that are ultimately beneficial for your replacement teeth. For example, foods that are rich in calcium can help strengthen the tissues responsible for holding the implant posts in place.
You should think about the foods you eat on a regular basis. Then you should consider whether there are any changes you can make in order to maintain a more implant-friendly diet.
Adopting the right lifestyle habits can make a big difference for your dental implants in the long run. Don’t be afraid to speak to your dentist to see if they can recommend any other steps for extending the longevity of your repaired smile.
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Rowley studied dentistry at Nova Southeastern University. He has completed hundreds of continuing education hours, and he holds membership with the Brevard County Dental Society along with other professional organizations. At Rowley Family Dentistry, he is able to fill in the gaps in his patients’ smiles with start-to-finish dental implant treatments. If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Rowley at his practice in Melbourne by visiting his website or calling (321) 723-1772.