Your dental implants aren’t just an investment in your smile; they are a long-term self-commitment to maintaining your oral and physical health. While the implant procedure itself is important, what you do when you’re not in the dental chair matters.

If you’re ready to start some lifestyle changes that can help make your dental implants last longer, continue reading.

Get Into the Habit of Oral Care

Regular oral care is crucial when you have dental implants. It helps prevent complications that can compromise the stability of your implants. Here are the three best ways to get your oral health in check:

• Brushing and Flossing – Brush your teeth twice a day and floss before you go to bed. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging your implant crowns and natural teeth. Floss carefully around your implants to remove plaque and food particles.
• Antimicrobial Rinses – These mouth rinses can help break up and wash away food particles and plaque between teeth and around your gums. For best results, follow the directions on the package.
• Regular Dental Checkups – Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can remove stubborn tartar and perform checks on your implants to ensure they’re in tip-top shape.

Quit Smoking, Limit Alcohol

Smoking and excessive alcohol are detrimental to both your health. They can have particularly negative results on the success of your dental implants.

• Smoking – Smoking increases the risk of implant failure by impairing your body’s ability to heal and integrate the implant with the bone. If you smoke, consider quitting or seeking support to do so.
• Alcohol – Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration, which can affect the healing process after implant placement. After your implant fuses with your jawbone and everything has healed, it might be okay to enjoy a drink or two in moderation, but you should consult with your dentist to determine what’s right for you.

In addition, stay away from mouthwashes that contain alcohol. These can cause dry           mouth, accelerating bacteria production in your mouth.

Improve Your Diet and Exercise Routine

Your body is like an ATM machine, what you put into it is what you can draw out. If you want to start accumulating health “interest” you’ll have to consistently do good things for yourself like eating well and exercising. How you treat your body matters for the success of dental implants.

• Nutrient-Rich Diet – Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health, healing, and regeneration.
• Stay Hydrated – Drinking water aids in saliva production, which helps clean your teeth and fight against the bacteria and acid that plaque produces. This will set up a healthy mouth biome for your dental implants to thrive.
• Regular Exercise – Regular physical activity not only makes your body feel good, but can also ensure that you have proper blood flow and a healthy immune system. Both of these are critical components to dental implant success.

Your dental implants are more than just artificial teeth; they’re a part of you. By enacting positive lifestyle changes, you can continue to support your dental implants through good health. If you ever need help, reach out to your dentist for recommendations and instructions. With excellent care, your dental implants will last a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. Tamir Anver is a passionate oral surgeon with years of experience with complex oral health cases. He has a doctorate in both dental and medical oral surgery and completed his residency at the prestigious University of Alabama at Birmingham. To schedule a dental implant consultation at Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants, call (972) 960-1111 or visit the website to learn more.