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If you have been dealing with missing teeth, you might be excited to get dental implants. Not only will they preserve your jawbone, but they will also give you back your bite. This tooth replacement option is an investment in your smile, so it’s important to do your best in protecting it! Several habits can increase your risk of failure; keep reading to learn what you should avoid doing with your implants.
1.) Fingernail or Pen Chewing
Your teeth should be used for eating and not much else. While you are working hard or it’s a nervous habit, you may find yourself chewing away at your nails or a pen. Not only can this harm your natural teeth, but also your dental implant. This puts too much strain on your new smile and can lead to damage. Instead, try finding something else you can fidget with, like a stress ball.
2.) Using Your Teeth to Open Packaging
If you have some pesky plastic packaging, it may be tempting to use your teeth to rip it open. It’s best if you use some scissors instead. Similarly to the point above, it can cause damage to your renewed grin. Don’t risk any harm and use the right tool for the job.
3.) Skipping Your Oral Hygiene
The bacteria in your mouth cannot give your dental implants cavities, but the soft tissues around them can still get infected. One common threat to this tooth replacement option is periodontal disease. When this condition is left untreated, it can cause your gums to recede and weaken your jawbone, which can leave your implant feeling wobbly.
It’s important to stick to brushing twice and flossing at least once a day. It doesn’t hurt to use an antibacterial mouthwash to ensure you get as much as you can. Keeping up with consistent visits to your dentist is also important since they are trained to watch for signs of failure and take steps to prevent it!
4.) Using Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause a couple of different problems for your restored tooth. While you are healing from your placement surgery, this habit can slow down your healing process or interfere with the osseointegration. This part is when the implant post is fusing with your jawbone, when it’s affected, it can be left feeling unstable. Not only that, but you put yourself at greater risk of gum disease and jawbone loss.
Remember these habits to avoid to help protect your investment in your smile. It’s crucial to break them if you have any of them to keep your full set of teeth for a lifetime.
About the Practice
At Utah Implants & Periodontics, you benefit from the expertise of two periodontists. Led by Dr. Rob Wood and Dr. Al Long, we are here to help the community restore their missing teeth with the help of dental implants. We can place them in the office, meaning you enjoy the convenience of staying with a team that you trust every step of the way. If you want to learn more about your tooth replacement options, schedule an appointment or call our office at (801) 322-5032.