Did you know that dental implants are successful in more than 95% of cases? You can expect your restored smile to stand the test of time! Of course, it still must be acknowledged that in rare cases, dental implant failure can occur. How can you prevent that sad outcome? This blog post contains some practical tips that will give your beautiful new teeth the best possible chance of long-term success.
Adhere to a Thorough Oral Hygiene Routine
The most common cause of dental implant failure is infection. Often, the infection starts when a patient makes missteps in their oral hygiene routine. To successfully fight harmful bacteria and reduce the risk of infections, you should:
- Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day — be sure to clean the area along the gumline!
- Floss or use a water flosser to clean around your teeth, including the space underneath your implant restorations.
- Use an antibacterial mouth rinse.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Even if you no longer have any of your natural teeth, it should still be your custom to visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. During these appointments, your dental team can look for early signs of problems with your dental implants. If they identify any causes for concern, they can recommend prompt treatment to prevent serious complications down the road.
Manage Your Overall Health
The health of your mouth and body are strongly connected. Therefore, you should do your best to support your overall wellness through good habits, such as:
- Eating a nutritious, balanced diet.
- Getting enough physical activity.
- Carefully managing any chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking can significantly increase your risk of oral infections and dental implant failure. You should avoid this harmful habit! Admittedly, though, quitting smoking is difficult. Work with your primary care physician to come up with a “quit plan” that works with your circumstances.
Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption
An occasional beer or glass of wine is unlikely to harm your dental implants. However, regular overconsumption can damage your overall health and be a major contributor to dental implant failure. Try to enjoy alcohol only in moderation and only on special occasions.
Protect Your Implants from Damage
Long-term teeth grinding and clenching can damage your dental implants. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you may need to wear a special mouthguard to protect them. If you play sports, you might need a different kind of mouthguard — one that is specifically designed to reduce the damage done by hard impacts.
With proper care, your dental implants could last a lifetime! Use the above tips to keep your new teeth in the best shape possible.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group proudly offers start-to-finish dental implant care. Whether you are thinking about undergoing this treatment, or you want to maintain the health of your current implants, our experienced and talented team is ready to serve you. To learn more about us and how we can support your smile’s long-term wellness, contact our Hamden location at 203-587-7327.