If you’re one of the millions of people with dental implant restorations, you probably want them to last as long as possible. Fortunately, they’re practically built for longevity, and can go for 30+ years without needing replaced or repaired – as long as you take good care of them.
The overall success of your dental implants, though, also relies on you! Certain lifestyles can make or break these impressive tooth replacements. To learn what changes you can make to benefit your implants, keep reading.
Start Small
Whenever you’re trying to “make or break” certain habits, it’s best to start out small – especially if they’ve been haunting you for a long time. By breaking up your goals into manageable steps, you can make a daunting challenge seem, well, doable!
Break Bad Habits
Certain habits like biting your nails or using your teeth as tools can damage your dental implants, causing premature wear. Use scissors, boxcutters, or bottle openers as needed, and try to resist biting into hard substances.
Another bad habit that can impact your dental implants is smoking or consuming other types of tobacco products. The chemicals in tobacco slow your body’s healing process and can be particularly harmful to your gums, which support your implants.
Form Beneficial Routines
If you don’t already, make sure you have a solid oral hygiene routine! That means brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing once daily, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. This will significantly reduce the bacteria content in your mouth, decreasing the chance of cavities and gum disease compromising your dental implants.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Believe it or not, good sleep is important for maintaining healthy dental implants – and a healthy you! An increasing amount of scientific data shows that rest helps your body function more efficiently, especially when it comes to your immune system. Since your immune system is responsible for fighting off infections and diseases (oral or otherwise), making sure it can do its job is a good idea.
Changing your lifestyle isn’t always easy, but it’ll be worth it. Follow these tips along with your dentist’s advice, and your implants will help you smile for years to come!
About the Practice
Marvel Dental & Orthodontics is fortunate to have four excellent dentists on staff who can provide quality and comprehensive services to our patients. Thanks to their combined experience and teamwork, getting the dental care you need in Midlothian is simple! If you’re interested in dental implants or want to know how you can help them last longer, contact our friendly team at 682-772-3072.