4 Bad Habits That Can Harm Your Dental Implants

Now that you have dental implants, you may be excited to have a full set of teeth that you feel confident in. You’ll get your bite back and have an easier time digging into your favorite foods. With this investment in your smile, you might wonder what you can do to protect it for decades to come. Here are four bad habits that increase your risk of failure and some tips to break them.

1.)  Chewing On Pens, Ice, or Your Fingernails

You should only use your smile to eat food and enjoy your meals. By chewing on other objects or things that are too hard, then you risk chipping or cracking your natural teeth, but also your dental implant. Your fingernails, ice, and pens can cause too much strain, leading to damage. If you do this as a nervous habit or to fidget, then consider getting an item like a stress ball to play with instead.

2.)  Using Your Teeth as Tools

There may be plenty of times when you need to open up some packaging on something you bought. Although you may be tempted to use your teeth, it can spell bad news for your grin. Like the point above, it puts your implant under stress, potentially causing a chip. Instead, get the right tool for the job and avoid the risk of cracks entirely!

3.) Tobacco Use

Tobacco (smoking and chewing) can cause trouble for your restored smile. During recovery after placement surgery, this habit slows down how fast you heal, messing with how your implant fuses with your jawbone. This may increase your risk of failure as well. To help quit, many people find success doing other hobbies that keep them distracted, such as working out.

4.)  Skipping Your Dental Hygiene Routine

One of the biggest threats to dental implants is bacteria in your mouth. While they can’t get cavities, plaque can still cause trouble for the surrounding tissues. When you don’t brush or floss, you increase your risk of gum disease. This condition can cause your gumline to recede and weaken your jawbone, making your tooth replacement feel unstable.

A simple fix for this is keeping up with your dental hygiene! Brush twice and floss at least once a day to remove any harmful bacteria. As well, keep up with visits to your dentist. They are trained to watch for signs of failure and take steps against it. By giving them regular chances to monitor changes to your oral health, you can keep your smile stronger for a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas earned his dental degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry. He has over 30 years of experience that he uses to give the Chula Vista community the best quality care they deserve during their treatment, such as dental implants. Dr. Barajas is proud to partner with local specialists for them, ensuring you stay in expert hands every step of the way. If you want to learn how to best care for this tooth replacement option, schedule an appointment or call his office at (619) 482-7367.