Even though dental implants are highly reliable and can potentially last for decades, it’s possible for them to fail for a variety of reasons. If you want to be able to keep your implant posts for as long as possible, then it’s essential to have a firm grasp on how to protect them. Below, you’ll find 4 tips that can go a long way toward reducing your risk of experiencing dental implant failure.
1. Maintain an Excellent Oral Hygiene Routine
In many cases, dental implants can fail due to an infection of the gums. Harmful bacteria can attack the gum and bone tissues responsible for holding your implant posts in place, weakening them and causing them to lose their ability to provide proper support. To avoid this issue, you need to keep the area around your implant posts as clean as possible. This means brushing and flossing them at least twice a day to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
2. Avoid Bad Oral Habits
There are plenty of bad oral habits that could end up damaging your implant posts. Common examples include biting your fingernails, chewing the end of your pen, or tearing open packages with your teeth. It’s essential to be aware of these habits so that you can take the appropriate measures to break them; the sooner you do, the safer your dental implants will be.
3. Do Not Smoke in the Days Following Dental Implant Surgery
Cigarettes and other tobacco products can cause serious problems for your dental implants. In particular, they can hinder the body’s healing process and make it more difficult for the implant posts to fuse with the jawbone. For this reason, it’s recommended that you avoid smoking for a while after having your dental implants placed. If you need help breaking the habit, talk to your regular physician to see if they have any recommendations.
4. Be Careful with Hard Foods
Trying to bite down on particularly hard foods such as carrots, apples, or crusty bread can end up damaging your implant posts if you don’t exercise due caution. You don’t necessarily need to avoid these foods altogether, but to stay on the safe side, it’s a good idea to cut them into bite-sized pieces before eating them.
Bear in mind that even if you diligently follow all of the tips listed above, dental implant failure could still occur. If it does, your best option is to call your periodontist; they can help you identify the underlying cause of the issue and work with you to find the best solution for protecting your rebuilt smile.
About the Author
Dr. David Handsman studied periodontology at the University of Tennessee. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and holds membership with various organizations, such as the American Academy of Periodontology. He is an expert in placing dental implants and addressing dental implant failure. If you’re experiencing problems with your implant posts, you can schedule a visit with Dr. Handsman at Handsman & Haddad Periodontics in Worcester by visiting his website or calling (508) 753-5444.
