While dental implants do have a very high success rate, they can still fail under certain circumstances. As such, it is up to you to make sure that your implant posts receive the care they need to last as long as possible. One step you can take is to break any bad habits that could cause problems for your newly repaired smile. Below are 4 examples of habits that you should stay away from for the sake of your dental implants.
1. Using Tobacco Products
Studies have shown that using cigarettes and other tobacco products can significantly increase your risk of suffering from dental implant failure. This is largely due to the fact that tobacco can hurt your body’s ability to keep infection at bay. If your gums become infected, your dental implants might eventually come loose due to no longer being able to rely on the support of the surrounding tissue.
Even knowing the risks involved, it can be difficult to simply give up tobacco altogether. Talk to your regular physician to see what suggestions they might have for breaking the habit.
2. Chewing on Hard Objects
Do you sometimes find yourself idly chewing your fingernails or the cap of your pen? Or do you often crunch down on particularly hard foods like peppermints? If your answer to either of these questions is “yes,” it could spell trouble for your dental implants. Using your implant posts to chew particularly hard objects could cause them to come loose, and your restoration (the crown, bridge, or denture supported by the implants) may become chipped.
3. Opening Packages with Your Mouth Instead of Actual Tools
Tearing open packages with your teeth can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on your dental implants, and it may even end up damaging your jawbone. As such, if there’s a package that’s giving you trouble, take the time to look for scissors or another type of tool that can do the job properly without putting your dental implants at unnecessary risk.
4. Eating Too Much Sugar
Gum disease is one of the most common causes of dental implant failure. If you want to minimize your risk of gum disease, then you need to pay attention to your diet. Too many sugary foods and beverages can easily lead to problems with your gum health; maintaining a more balanced diet can go a long way toward keeping your dental implants – and your mouth as a whole – safe.
Are you worried that some of your everyday habits could end up compromising your dental implants? Be sure to speak to your oral surgeon; they can help you identify the habits that could cause problems for your new smile so that you can replace them with healthier ones.
About the Author
Dr. Tamir Anver is a knowledgeable oral surgeon who completed a residency at the prestigious University of Alabama at Birmingham. His clinical interests include dental implants as well as a wide variety of other treatments. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Anver at Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants in Dallas, visit his website or call (972) 960-1111.