5 Lifestyle Changes to Make with Dental Implants

Now that you’ve restored your beautiful smile with the help of dental implants, you’ll want to ensure that your prosthetics last a lifetime. But in order to do that, you may need to make some important changes to your lifestyle. Here are just a few ways you can protect your new teeth and ensure that you get the most from your investment!

Quit Smoking

When you smoke, you can easily stain both your natural teeth and your dental implants. You can also vastly increase your risk of oral cancer. While yes, quitting is hard, it is important to try, as this can protect not just your smile, but your overall health and well-being. Furthermore, smoking can thin the blood, which can complicate your healing process in the initial months after your implant surgery, increasing your risk of dental implant failure.

Cut Alcohol Consumption

Drinking alcohol can also affect your healing process and increase your odds of dental implant failure. Though you don’t have to give up alcoholic beverages forever, it is recommended that you wait for at least six months post-surgery to drink again. Be aware that alcohol also causes dry mouth, which can increase your risk of gum disease and dental implant failure further down the road.

Eat a Soft Food Diet

Sticky or crunchy foods can displace dental implants during the healing process. Thus, initially eating a soft-food diet full of foods like cheese, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and other easy to chew items are a great way to get used to your new smile. Gradually you can begin to add tougher foods but avoid anything too hard like ice cubes or crunching on hard candies to protect your dental implants going forward.

Wear a Mouthguard if Necessary

If you grind your teeth or play sports, speak to your dentist about a custom mouthguard. This can help protect your remaining natural teeth as well as your dental implants.

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Even though they can’t get cavities, dental implants still need to be cared for just as you would your real teeth. Brush them twice a day, and floss them once daily. This will help keep them looking and feeling clean and protect your gums from gum disease that could cause implant failure and further loss of your natural teeth.

Remember, caring for your dental implants is a very important step in ensuring they stay in place for a lifetime. Make the most of your new smile and follow the above steps to protect your teeth, whether they’re real or not.

About Dr. Aguilar

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar knew he wanted to be a dentist from an early age, after he observed his friend’s father’s dentistry work in high school. Dr. Aguilar earned his dental doctorate at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry (now simply known as Texas A&M College of Dentistry) and today is proud to improve the smiles of patients right here in Denton.

If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t hide your smile. Schedule a consultation for dental implants with Dr. Aguilar at Aguilar Family Dentistry by visiting our website or calling us at 940-566-5332.