Maintaining Long-Term Success: Habits to Avoid with Dental Implants

Dental implants are a remarkable fix for missing teeth, offering stability, functionality, and a natural appearance. However, to ensure their success, it’s important to be mindful of some of the bad oral habits you may have. Continue reading to explore the worst habits to continue after your dental implant placement.

1. Neglecting Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is necessary for the health of your dental implants. If you continuously forget to brush and floss, it can cause the buildup of plaque and bacteria around the implant. This increases the risk of gum disease which can lead to implant failure if left untreated. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss daily, paying extra attention to areas around the implant.

2. Using Tobacco Products

Smoking and using other tobacco products can have many detrimental effects on dental implants and your oral health in general. Tobacco can impair the body’s ability to heal after implant surgery and increases the risk of complications. Quitting smoking or using tobacco products is one of the best ways you can ensure future success for your implants.

3. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Habitual teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can put excessive force on dental implants. Over time, this can damage the crown or cause the implant to loosen, failing to fuse with the jawbone. If you grind or clench your teeth, it’s important to figure out why so you can address the source of the problem. Your dentist may be able to help you with an assessment.

4. Chewing on Hard Objects

Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or chew on hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails. These habits can chip normal teeth and put pressure on dental implants, increasing the risk of damage or fracture. Only use your teeth for eating food!

5. Skipping Dental Appointments

Regular visits to your dentist are important for monitoring the health of your dental implants and detecting any issues. Skipping appointments increases the risk of undetected problems that could compromise the success of your implants. Be sure to schedule and attend regular checkups as recommended by your dentist.

By avoiding these common bad habits and following good oral hygiene practices, your dental implants will last a lifetime. If you see signs that your implants might be compromised in any way, call your dentist. They can assess your issue and provide restorative care to keep you smiling.

About the Author

Dental implants are incredible dental technology, but they require a skilled hand to place and maintain. Dr. Jonathan Aguilar has decades of experience in many fields of dentistry, including dental implantology. He earned his dental doctorate from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry and has been honing his skills through practice and continuing education opportunities. Call (940) 566-5332 to schedule a dental implant consultation at Aguilar Family Dentistry or visit the website to discover other services they provide.