Tooth loss can make it difficult to smile confidently and enjoy the wide range of nutritious foods the human body needs to stay healthy. Fortunately, Dental implants have empowered millions of people to replace their lost teeth with beautifully lifelike restorations, and they can last for several decades or possibly a lifetime if they receive excellent care. Here are a few great ways to help your implants last as long as they can.
Protect Your Implants with Excellent Oral Hygiene
Since dental implants are made from titanium and a ceramic material such as porcelain, they are completely impervious to cavities. However, your remaining natural teeth are not, and oral infections can erode the gum and jawbone tissue implants depend on for support. Since gum disease is the leading cause of implant failure, it’s crucial to stick to a daily regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate plaque and food debris that can cause infections.
Your Dentist Is Your Implants’ Best Friend
It’s still important to see your dentist for regular exams and cleanings at least twice a year after receiving dental implants. These visits allow a qualified oral health professional to monitor your mouth, address any problems in their early stages, and recommend better hygiene methods. Your dentist catching and treating a case of gum disease early can make the difference between your implant failing and lasting for many more years.
Quit Destructive Oral Habits
If you want your implants to last for as long as possible, you may have to kick a few habits. Smoking is completely terrible for your oral health, and the noxious chemicals tobacco contains can exhaust your gums and compromise their ability to fight infections. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dry mouth while also eroding your gum tissue and enamel. Chewing on non-food items or using your smile to open packages or bottles are great ways to damage your natural or artificial teeth. Dropping these bad habits can help you set your implants up for success.
Dental implants are an investment in your appearance, confidence, and oral and overall health. Taking the right measures to protect them can allow you to enjoy them for decades.
About the Author
Dr. Manpreet Dhaliwal earned his dental degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and stays up to date with the latest developments in his field through continuing education courses. He genuinely enjoys relieving patients of dental pain and helping people achieve their ideal smiles, and his office in Kent offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about proper dental implant care, contact his office online or dial (253) 854-2714.