Getting dental implants is a significant investment of time and money, so you’ll naturally want to make sure that your new smile lasts as long as possible. The good news is that dental implants have the potential to last for decades or even the rest of your life. However, their longevity depends heavily on what you do to take care of them. Here are 4 tips to keep in mind if you want to maximize the lifespan of your dental implants.
1. Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
Gum disease is one of the most common reasons for dental implant failure. As such, you need to practice excellent oral hygiene in order to keep the tissues around your implant posts healthy.
Be sure to brush at least two times a day using nonabrasive toothpaste that won’t damage your dental implants. Remember to floss as well; food particles and plaque could be hiding in the hard-to-reach spots around the implants that you can’t reach with a toothbrush. You can also start rinsing with mouthwash, which can significantly decrease your risk of an oral infection.
2. Plan Your Diet Carefully
Think about the foods you eat and how they could affect your dental implants. Foods that are high in calcium can strengthen the bone tissue holding the implants in place while also improving the health of your gums. On the other hand, foods that are overly hard or sticky could damage your implant posts. Try to eat more foods that are beneficial for implants while staying away from foods that could harm them.
3. Break Bad Habits
Certain bad habits can increase the chances of dental implants failing. For example, biting your fingernails or grinding your teeth can put excessive stress on your implant posts. It’s crucial to identify these types of habits so that you can break them long before they can lead to problems with your dental implants.
4. Manage Any Existing Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions are associated with a higher risk of dental implant failure. Diabetes can affect your mouth’s ability to heal after dental implant surgery, and osteoporosis can weaken the bone tissue responsible for holding the implant posts in place. If you have any medical conditions that might affect your dental implants, talk to your doctor to figure out the best way to manage them.
As long as you take the right steps, you can expect your dental implants to last for a long time. Talk to your dentist to see if they have any other suggestions for taking care of your new smile.
About the Author
Dr. Rob McVety earned his dental degree at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He has completed the Advanced Implant Educators dental implant course and belongs to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. His Falmouth practice, Casco Bay Smiles, offers start-to-finish dental implant treatments. To schedule a consultation with Dr. McVety, visit his website or call (207) 517-7008.