5 Habits You Must Integrate into Your Lifestyle When You Have Dental Implants

Some experts say it takes at least 21 days to turn a task into a habit. Whether this is true or not, there are certain habits you need to establish when you get dental implants. These tooth replacements are designed to last a lifetime, but only with the right care. Without the following habits, your implants won’t be permanent and can fail prematurely.

Quit Smoking or Vaping

Although cigarettes can be extremely addictive, they drastically increase the chances of gum disease and an implant complication called peri-implantitis. At first, gum tissue may look red and puffy, but eventually, the infection spreads to the jawbone, where tissue deteriorates, making the implants weak and loose.

Even vaping comes with risk for your smile. Although the toxins are significantly reduced, vaping still carries potentially harmful bacteria into your mouth, increasing the risk of infection.

If at all possible, it’s best to simply stop this habit entirely both for your implants and your health.

Brush and Floss Every Day

Even though your prosthetic teeth won’t get cavities, they must be kept clean if you want them to last. Bacteria in plaque can attach to your teeth, particularly around the gumline and lead to an implant-endangering infection.

Taking just a few minutes every day on these habits can keep this from happening and allow your implants to remain in good condition for the long term.

Limit Sugar Intake

Little sweet indulgences in your diet now and then aren’t going to derail your dental implants. However, if you consume a significant amount of sugar day after day, you are asking for trouble. Sugar encourages the growth of infection-causing bacteria and inflammation in the mouth. When you keep your sugar intake under control, these bacteria are easier to control as well, protecting your implants.

Visit the Dentist at Least Every Six Months

Regular appointments with your dentist are just as important after tooth replacement as before. This expert watches out for early signs of peri-implantitis and can treat it right away, if necessary. A professional cleaning also ensures that your restored smile stays dazzling!

Drink More Water

Out of all beverages, water is the most beneficial for your smile, whether you have dental implants or not. Sipping water throughout the day rinses your mouth, washing away food debris, plaque, and bacteria.

Even if it takes you a while to develop these habits, they are essential if you want your implants to still be functional decades from now. Do whatever you need to make these habits part of your routine and lifestyle so that you can keep enjoying your smile for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell has been practicing for about 25 years. During that time, he has collaborated with area specialists to transform many smiles with dental implants and other treatments. Not only does he restore implants in the short term, but he also takes pride in helping patients extend the lifespan of their implants through ongoing care and maintenance. If you have questions about dental implants, you should contact our DeLand office by calling 386-734-8585 or visiting our Contact Us page here.