Dental implants are an effective solution to replace missing teeth and improve dental health. Unfortunately, dental implants can be ruined if they are not properly cared for. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways you can ruin your dental implant and how to avoid it.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is one of the main reasons dental implants fail long-term. Plaque and bacteria buildup on dental implants is like natural teeth, so it’s important to keep up with regular brushing and flossing. If plaque and bacteria are allowed to accumulate, it can lead to dental implant infection or failure.

How To Avoid It: Regular brushing and flossing is the best way to avoid dental implant failure due to poor oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and use dental floss daily. If necessary, invest in an electric toothbrush, as they are more effective than manual brushes at removing plaque and bacteria buildup.

Professional Cleanings: Schedule regular checkups with your dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings and examinations. During these visits, your dentist can identify potential dental problems that may lead to dental implant failure.

Eating Habits

Your diet plays an important role in dental implant success. Foods high in sugar and acidic foods can damage dental implants, eroding the dental implant's enamel over time. Sticky or chewy foods should also be avoided, as they can cause dental implants to loose or dislodge.

How To Avoid It: Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks such as soda, sports drinks, candy, and chips. When eating sticky or chewy foods like caramel or bubble gum, try not to chew for too long as it can cause dental implant damage.

Dental Implants and Alcohol: If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to one or two drinks per day. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to dental implant infection and failure.

Bad Habits

Certain bad habits like nail biting, tooth grinding, and smoking can put dental implants at risk. Nail biting puts stress on dental implants, while tooth grinding erodes the enamel of dental implants. Smoking also decreases blood flow to dental implants, increasing dental implant failure rates.

How To Avoid It: Try to break bad habits that could affect your dental implants, such as nail biting or tooth grinding. If you’re a smoker, try to quit or switch to an alternative habit like vaping, as smoking can lead to dental implant failure.

Seek Treatment: If you have a habit that is hard to break, seek help from your dentist or doctor. They can recommend treatments such as dental splints or counseling to help manage the problem and protect your dental implants.

Poor Dental Care

Dental implants require regular maintenance, just like natural teeth. Failing to keep up with dental appointments increases your risk of dental implant failure and infection. Poor dental care can also cause dental implants to become loose, which leads to dental implant failure.

How To Avoid It: Schedule dental checkups at least twice a year for dental cleanings and examinations. During these visits, your dentist can identify potential dental problems that may lead to dental implant failure.

Regular Cleanings: At home, brush and floss your dental implants at least twice a day. If necessary, invest in an electric toothbrush, as they are more effective than manual brushes at removing plaque and bacteria buildup.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can put dental implants at risk of infection and failure. Diabetes causes decreased blood flow, making it harder for dental implants to heal properly after surgery. Heart disease affects the immune system, increasing the risk of dental implant infections.

How To Avoid It: If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, it’s important to manage your condition and keep up with regular dental appointments. Your dentist can monitor your dental implants for any signs of infection and provide treatment if necessary.

Talk To Your Doctor: Talk to your doctor about medications that may affect dental implant success.

Conclusion

Dental implants require proper care to prevent dental implant failure. Make sure to eat a balanced diet, limit sugary and acidic foods, avoid bad habits like nail biting or smoking, and keep up with dental checkups. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, talk to your doctor about how it may affect dental implant success.

FAQs

How often should I have dental checkups?

You should have dental checkups at least twice yearly for dental cleanings and exams. Your dentist may also recommend additional visits depending on the health of your dental implants.

Can I smoke after dental implants?

It’s best to avoid smoking before and after dental implant surgeries as it can decrease blood flow to dental implants and increase your risk of dental implant failure.

What dental habits should I avoid?

You should avoid any dental habits that could damage dental implants such as nail biting, chewing on hard objects, or tooth grinding. If you have a difficult habit to break, seek help from your dentist or doctor.

September 14, 2023
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