One of the main reasons millions of people around the world choose to get dental implants is because of their unmatched longevity. While a regular denture or bridge lasts five to seven years on average, dental implants have an impressive 20-30+ year lifespan. Whether you’re still considering implants or already have them, there are a few common habits you’ll want to avoid so you get the most out of your new smile (and investment).
Inconsistent Oral Hygiene
Given how strong dental implants are, it can be surprising to hear that not brushing your teeth every day can lead to their downfall, but it’s by far the most common reason for dental implant failure.
How? When a person doesn’t brush their teeth enough (which is twice a day for two minutes each), this can allow harmful oral bacteria to build up around the implant. While the titanium tooth root can’t get a cavity, the bone and gum tissue supporting it can be weakened by an infection, ultimately compromising the prosthetic tooth.
Tobacco Use
You don’t need another lecture on how smoking or chewing tobacco is bad for you, but what many patients aren’t aware of is how these habits can affect their implants. Using tobacco soon after implant placement can disrupt the healing process and prevent the posts from bonding with the jawbone, making them unstable. It also leads to an increase in bad bacteria and limits circulation, two big contributors to implant failure.
This is why patients are usually asked to quit a week or two ahead of implant surgery and while they recover. Of course, this is easier said than done, so it’s worth mentioning to your implant dentist because they have helped patients through this process many times before.
Teeth Grinding
Some studies suggest that as many as one-third of people unconsciously grind their teeth, particularly while they are asleep. As hearty as implants are, the extreme pressure resulting from nighttime grinding can cause the restoration on top (as well as the natural teeth) to wear down, crack, and eventually break without intervention.
The tricky part about this habit is that some people can’t actively stop it—it only occurs when they sleep! Thankfully, working with a dentist to get a custom nightguard is a simple and effective solution. This involves wearing a special mouthguard to bed that goes over the teeth and keeps them protected.
Changing your habits is hard, and breaking bad habits is especially difficult. If you’re dealing with any of the above and are thinking about getting dental implants or already have them, your dentist can be a great resource. Many, many patients have been in your shoes, so they know how to offer different options to help make the necessary changes. You don’t have to do it alone—with their help, you’ll not only get a healthy, new smile, but can trust it will last for decades to come.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Kirk has been taking care of Oklahoma City smiles for more than 30 years as a trusted implant dentist. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, he went on to earn a certificate in dental implantology from the University of Texas, and he also holds Fellowship status in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, making him one of the leading implant dentists in the state.
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants in Oklahoma City and what they could do for you, contact Grand Dental Studio today.