Dental implants are widely considered the best form of tooth replacement because they look and function like natural teeth after they are fully healed. However, they’ll need some consideration while they are still getting situated in the gums, and indulging in some bad habits while they are healing can lead to them failing. Here are a few habits to avoid after getting dental implants.
Cut Down on the Drinking
A dental implant begins with a titanium post surgically placed in the patient’s jawbone, and it will take about six months on average to fully heal. During this time, the post and the jaw will fuse together through the natural process of osseointegration. Just as alcohol in your blood impairs your vision, hand-eye coordination, judgment, and basically everything else your body does, it will hinder your dental implant’s healing process. It’s best to eliminate drinking while recovering.
Once your implant has healed completely, you can resume drinking in moderation. Excessive drinking can lead to dry mouth, tooth decay, and gum disease, all of which can contribute to implant failure later.
Skip the Tobacco
Tobacco use, whether through smoking or chewing, can stain your natural and artificial teeth and lead to many other oral health complications such as bad breath and cancer. Smoking is one of the leading causes of implant failure because it reduces circulation to the gums and causes them to harden. This hinders the healing process and can lead to the body rejecting the implants.
It’s best not to smoke for the whole of the healing process, but this can be easier said than done for long-time smokers. Build a regimen of distractions to take your mind off your cravings such as singing, exercising, or chewing sugar-free gum. And if you can quit smoking for a few months, why start up again? Getting dental implants can be a great opportunity to quit for life.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth exist for only two reasons: chewing and smiling. Using them for anything else counts as abusing them. This means you shouldn’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages, shape materials like wood, nervously chew objects like pens or toothpicks, or hold hefty objects. These habits can all stress or damage your implants while they are healing as well as injure your natural teeth. If you’re looking for a safe way to open bottles, you can buy a metal bottle opener that can last for a decade at your local gas station or convenience store. It’ll be the best two bucks you ever spent.
Dental implants are supposed to be a decades-long investment, and their failure counts as a significant setback for your dental health. With proper care and hygiene after your surgery, you can expect to enjoy many years with your restored smile.
About the Author
Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki earned his dental doctorate from the University of Florida in 1980 and has completed thousands of hours of continuing education since then. He proudly serves as a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Cocoa Beach, FL offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant services. For more information on keeping your new dental implants healthy, contact his office online or dial (321) 783-7514.