I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
The habits you engage in after your dental implant treatment have a big effect on the implant healing process. If you are not careful, then your bad oral habit can even cause your dental implant to fail. Below are some of the bad habits that you should avoid if you want your dental implant treatment to succeed.
Smoking
Smoking causes all manner of health and dental problems. However, smoking is even more dangerous for those who are gearing up for or have just received dental implants. Smoking increases the risk of dental implant failure. Ideally, you should stop smoking for the rest of your life. At the very least, you should stop smoking a few weeks prior to your implant surgery and a couple of months after your implant surgery.
Missing Checkups
In 2018, the American Dental Association (ADA) released a survey that showed that only 58% of Americans visit their dentists at least once per year. This is unfortunate given that regular dental checkups are necessary for good dental health. The need for regular dental checkups is even greater for those who have dental implants because they already have compromised oral health. You need the checkups to learn how to take care of your teeth, spot emerging dental issues, and ensure your implant treatment succeeds.
Poor Oral Hygiene
According to some statistics, only 7 out of 10 Americans brush their teeth at least twice daily. The statistics are even worse for flossing, where only 4 out of 10 Americans floss once per day. This is despite the fact that you need both processes to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Daily brushing and flossing are necessary for everyone (even those with healthy teeth). However, it's even more necessary for those who have dental implants in their mouths. Poor dental hygiene can allow bacteria to infect the implant site, slow down the healing, and even trigger dental implant failure.
Using Teeth as Tools
Your dental implants might be as strong as your natural tooth, but that doesn't mean that they are indestructible. Using your teeth as tools, for example, as bottle openers or as a pair of pliers, can damage both your natural tooth and your implant. However, your implants are even more susceptible to damage or destabilization in the immediate days after treatment. You need to leave the implant alone for some time until it heals and integrates with your bone.
Your dentist will provide you with further instructions on what you should or shouldn't do after your treatment. Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter.
For more information about dental implant care, contact a company like Amato Dentistry.
Share24 September 2019
