If you’ve just received dental implants, you’re probably feeling pretty ecstatic; after all, you’ve just upgraded your smile with perhaps the best tooth replacement option around! These nifty posts can provide unparalleled facial support and facilitate a new smile that’ll last for a lifetime under ideal circumstances. That said, you might be wondering just how exactly you can ensure your implants continue to function as intended and look natural. Here are three key lifestyle changes you should strongly consider.
Tip #1. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
Some people falsely believe that having dental implants means you don’t have to brush or floss as diligently; they are remarkably more durable than your natural teeth! However, when you have dental implants, oral hygiene arguably becomes more important than ever before. Gum disease poses a huge threat to your implants, and chronically poor oral hygiene is a surefire way to allow the condition to progress—it might even lead to total implant failure if you aren’t diligent.
Be sure that you’re brushing and flossing daily, and continue to visit your provider for routine preventive care; these visits also allow your dentist to inspect your implants for signs of concern.
Tip #2. Cut Out Bad Oral Habits
It’s a well-known fact that smoking is notoriously awful for you—it can negatively impact your lungs, your heart, and most obviously, your oral health! In fact, smoking is arguably one of the biggest risks to your dental implants, due to how it increases your chances of developing gum disease. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco also massively increases your risk of oral infection, which can impede the implant-healing process. Quitting is not a momentary solution, either; even after your implants have healed, smoking can increase the likelihood of future issues.
It’s also worth noting that there are several other bad oral habits that pose a threat to your dental implants: excessive alcohol consumption, using your teeth as tools, and frequently biting into hard objects are just a few behaviors that can all prove detrimental to them.
Tip #3. Eat a Healthy Diet
This is good advice whether you have dental implants or not, but eating a healthy diet can work wonders for your oral health. Eating plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-sugar items can drastically boost your body’s immune system, providing adequate protection from gum disease and other problems that might threaten your implants. You should also strive to drink plenty of water in favor of sugary sodas, sports drinks, and juices; water stimulates your mouth’s flow of saliva, which is your primary defense mechanism against oral health issues.
Simply put, a healthy lifestyle reduces several risk factors associated with dental implant failure—so strive to make smart choices!
About the Practice
The talented team at Carlson Dental Group is excited to provide patients and families in the Jacksonville community with an unmatched level of dental care! The practice offers a wide range of services, including restorative options like dental implants for those hoping to rebuild their smiles and restore their quality of life. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to schedule an appointment for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice online or by phone for further assistance. Telephone: (904) 262-8449.