4 Bad Habits That Can Put Dental Implants at Risk

Dental implants are a great long-term solution for tooth loss; in many cases, they can last well over 30 years. That being said, though, if you want to keep your new teeth safe, you need to be careful regarding how you treat them. There are many bad habits that can potentially damage dental implants or cause them to fail. Below are 4 examples of habits that are best avoided once dental implants have been placed.

1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Dental implants are meant to form a lasting bond with the jawbone via a process called osseointegration. But if you drink a lot of alcohol, it can impair osseointegration and could ultimately lead to complications with your implant posts. Furthermore, alcohol can increase your risk of developing dry mouth. This can leave you more susceptible to gum disease, which is a common culprit for dental implant failure.

You’ll need to refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverages for a certain amount of time after your dental implant surgery. Once healing is complete, it’s best to consume alcohol in moderation to avoid causing problems for your newly rebuilt smile.

2. Chewing On Your Nails

Biting your nails may seem like a harmless enough habit, but over time, it can damage your dental implants by putting unnecessary pressure on them. Furthermore, any bacteria on your fingernails could enter your mouth and potentially cause a gum infection that puts your dental implants at risk.

In general, you should never use your dental implants to bite down on anything that isn’t edible. Be mindful of your bad chewing habits so that you can break them as promptly as possible.

3. Not Wearing an Athletic Mouthguard

If you participate in any sort of sport, you should make sure your mouth is properly protected whenever you’re on the court or field. A sudden blow to the mouth or jaw could very easily damage your dental implants as well as the rest of your smile.

Even if you are not required to wear a mouthguard, it’s best to do so anyway just in case the unexpected happens.

4. Lax Oral Hygiene

Maybe you don’t give your dental implants the same attention that you give your natural teeth. Or perhaps you simply aren’t as diligent about brushing and flossing as you should be. These types of weaknesses in your oral hygiene routine can allow plaque and tartar to build up around your dental implants, thus making gum disease more likely to occur.

To keep your newly rebuilt smile healthy, you need to brush and floss at least two times every day. When brushing your dental implants, make sure that you’re thoroughly cleaning the surrounding gums as well.

About the Practice

Here at Waterbury Smiles, our team has been bringing high-quality dental care to the local community since 1986. We make a point of keeping up with the latest dental treatments and technology, and we always strive to make sure our patients have a pleasant experience. For individuals who want to replace their missing teeth, we often recommend long-lasting, reliable dental implants. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (203) 575-9097.