Do you suffer from extensive tooth loss? You may be looking for solutions to rebuild your smile. Well, dental implants are an excellent option to consider. Not only can they improve your oral health, but they can help you eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence once again. The best part? They can last a lifetime with proper dental care! Of course, their longevity depends heavily on how well you maintain them. With that in mind, a dentist in Hingham shares a few bad habits you should break to help your new smile last as long as possible.
Skipping the Floss
If you have dental implants, you likely already know that they can’t develop cavities. However, that doesn’t mean you can slack off on your oral hygiene routine. Even though brushing twice a day is certainly important, flossing daily is a critical step that should never be skipped. It helps eliminate food, plaque, and bacteria caught between your teeth and around the gumline. Since gum disease is the leading cause of dental implant failure, it’s crucial to do what you can to protect your connective tissues from injury or infection.
Missing Dental Appointments
A healthy smile requires more than just brushing and flossing. Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings is essential to keep your oral health in optimal condition. These preventive visits allow your dentist to monitor your implants and prevent, detect, or treat problems before they become complications. Additionally, professional teeth cleanings help remove harmful substances from your mouth that contribute to gum disease.
Smoking or Using Tobacco Products
Although smoking and using tobacco products is horrible for your teeth, it’s even worse for dental implants. These habits can slow down the healing process and increase your risk of oral infections and oral cancer. In fact, studies show that smokers are two to three times more likely to lose their implants than non-smokers.
Eating Too Much Sugar
Overconsumption of sugar can not only increase your chances of cavities, but of gum disease as well. It’s a common bacterial infection that’s one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the United States, resulting in damage to the jawbone and destroying the tissues that hold your natural teeth and implants in place. Fortunately, you can lower your risk by reducing your sugar intake.
Chewing on Non-Foods
Have you ever found yourself chewing on your fingernails, pen caps, ice, or other random items when you’re stressed or bored? Unfortunately, this seemingly harmless habit can result in damaged dental implants. Plus, these items can introduce unwanted bacteria into your mouth, causing infections that threaten your implants. If you must chew on something, try a piece of sugar-free gum instead!
After getting dental implants, you’re going to want your investment to last as long as possible. By breaking the bad habits listed above, you can ensure your new smile lasts for a lifetime!
About the Practice
At Admired Smiles Dental Center, we provide personalized, comprehensive, exceptional dental services that the entire family can enjoy. Our highly skilled and dedicated team is passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve their best smiles. If you have missing teeth, we can restore your smile and confidence with dental implants. We’ll use the latest technologies and techniques to ensure your results last as long as possible. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (781) 749-3030.