Although your new dental implants boast an impressive 95 percent success rate, it’s still very important to do your part to protect them so they last a lifetime. Here are five easy things you can start doing right now to improve their odds so you can make the most of your investment and your newly restored smile!
Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene
One of the best things about dental implants is that they can’t get cavities like your real teeth can. But just because they’re prosthetic doesn’t mean you don’t need to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine. That’s because you’re still at risk of developing gum disease. In fact, the number one reason for dental implant failure is a condition called peri-implantitis, which is a form of this smile wrecking condition. Thus, be sure to brush your teeth (both real and prosthetic) twice a day and floss daily!
Quit Bad Habits
Whether you bite your nails, smoke, or drink alcohol frequently, you should consider quitting these activities, as they can damage your dental implants and increase their risk of failure.
If you play sports or grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about having a custom mouth guard made to keep your teeth and dental implants safe from the excess pressure created by your biteforce or accidental injury!
Eat a Healthier Diet
Getting plenty of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and calcium can keep your gums and jawbones strong, improving your odds for dental implant success! You can boost your intake by using a supplement or by increasing your intake of things like salmon, eggs, legumes, and leafy greens.
Stay Fit
Staying healthy and fit is an excellent way to improve your overall health, but it can benefit your dental implants, too. In fact, any weight bearing exercise intended to improve bone strength and density can help maintain your jawbone, giving your dental implants a firmer foundation and increased odds for success.
Visit Your Dentist
Even if you have implant dentures and no remaining natural teeth, it’s still crucial to visit your dentist every six months for your regular, preventive oral health checkups. At these visits, your dentist will clean your prosthetics, check to ensure they’re in good condition, and screen your mouth for dangerous conditions like gum disease, peri-implantitis, and oral cancer.
Remember, although dental implants come with an astonishing 95 percent success rate even ten years after placement, it’s still important to do your part to protect them. Thus, consider making these 5 easy lifestyle modifications to protect your oral and overall health, so you can enjoy your newly restored smile for the rest of your life!
About Our Practice
At Villagio Family & Cosmetic Dental, we are proud to offer durable, lifelike dental implants to help restore your gorgeous, healthy smile. If you’re ready to replace missing teeth with the world’s only permanent tooth restoration option, schedule a consultation with us today on our website or call us at 281-395-2100.