Restored Smile Care:4 Lifestyle Changes That Help Dental Implants Last

Since they’re often effective, you may think dental implants are fool-proof. Why else would most folks call them the gold standard of tooth replacement? However, the truth is that some habits can put these posts in danger and cause dental implant failure. You’ll want to listen to your Abingdon dentist to make sure you stick to the right ones instead. To that end, please keep reading to learn four lifestyle changes that help dental implants last.

Practicing Good Oral Hygiene

While dental implants aren’t “real” teeth, they still benefit from proper mouth care. They’ll last much longer if you practice good oral hygiene every day.

You see, oral health problems can put dental implants at risk. Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can loosen nearby implant posts, making them more likely to fail. Given these facts, brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will help prevent severe oral conditions. The result is that your dental implants can work properly for many years.

Eating a Mouth-Healthy Diet

If you tend to eat a lot of junk food, it may be time to change your meal plan. Your dental implants will last longer when you switch to a mouth-healthy diet.

Remember, dental implants only work well when your gums and jaw are healthy. Eating a balanced diet – one that’s packed with vitamins and minerals – will keep those parts of your body strong. For example, foods high in calcium will strengthen your gum and jawbone tissues. Nutrient-rich meals will also help your implants fuse with your jaw, speeding up your recovery from implant surgery.

Quitting Smoking

Before and after you get dental implants, you ought to quit your smoking habit. Doing so will ensure your posts enjoy a long lifespan that benefits your smile.

The problem with smoking is that it interferes with dental implant fusion. Since it reduces blood flow to the gums, it can slow down or even keep your mouth from healing. The habit also raises your risk of gum disease, a condition that can make implants fail by eroding your jawbone. In light of these effects, your best bet for a successful treatment is to give up smoking altogether.

Managing Medical Conditions

In truth, non-oral body problems can keep dental implants from succeeding. Managing these conditions will help your posts work as they should.

There are several examples of such medical issues. For instance, diabetes may trigger high blood sugar levels that make peri-implantitis more likely. Osteoporosis can also affect your jaw’s bone density, impacting implant stability. There are even medications that might affect your oral health and implant success.

Clearly, you shouldn’t ignore the lifestyle changes that help dental implants last. Remember the ones above and consult your dental provider about others!

About the Practice

Amburgey Dental is based in Abingdon, VA. Led by Dr. Steven Amburgey himself, our practice focuses on quality dentistry that helps the whole family. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to your unique smile and its needs. Our team even works with local specialists to offer personalized dental implants for each patient! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (276)-258-5568.