Many experts consider dental implants the gold standard for replacement teeth because of their unique properties. Unlike bridges and dentures, these restorations are surgically placed in your jaw and fuse with the bone for added strength and stability.
But that doesn’t mean they’re invincible! The implant procedure has an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, but only if you take care of your new tooth correctly. Continue reading to learn about 3 habits you might have that could potentially hurt your implant so you can make positive changes!
Habit #1: Smoking
If you regularly smoke, vape, or chew tobacco, you can expect your dentist to recommend lifestyle changes if you hope to get dental implants. This is because these products contain nicotine, which functions as a vasoconstrictor. It hinders your blood oxygen supply and flow, which suppresses your immune system and prevents your body from delivering essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your gums.
Furthermore, the suction caused when taking a puff can potentially dislodge the blood clot that must form at the surgical site for it to heal effectively. As a result, your provider might ask that you stop smoking for several weeks before your procedure and wait a few months afterward to resume your habit, which helps give your mouth enough time to recover.
Habit #2: Drinking Alcohol
Plenty of people enjoy a glass of wine or a cool beer at dinner, especially if they’ve had a long day or are feeling sore and irritated, like after dental implant surgery. However, alcohol can also interfere with successful healing, so it’s usually best to reduce your consumption.
This is because alcohol is a blood thinner, which can prevent your mouth from forming a blood clot successfully. Plus, it is usually quite acidic and high in sugar, which can irritate your already tender tissues and attract disease-causing bacteria.
Habit #3: Ignoring Dental Hygiene
You might think that it’s best to avoid brushing and flossing after implant surgery, and that might be true for the first day or so. Some dentists recommend rinsing with salt water for the first 24 hours to avoid harming the recently placed support rod of their new tooth.
But waiting too long to clean your teeth increases the likelihood of developing an infection, like peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure. Fortunately, most patients can safely resume brushing and flossing after the first day following their procedure, as long as they are careful around their implant.
If you have questions about other ways to help protect and preserve your new dental implant, you can learn more by contacting your provider!
About the Practice
At Texas Dentistry & Braces, you and your family benefit from an accomplished team of dentists committed to helping you build happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Tran, a general dentist, collaborates with Dr. Hodges and Dr. Santillan, pediatric dentists, to offer a comprehensive menu of services to patients of all ages. They partner with local experts to help ensure accurate implant placement for greater chances of success, then provide a lifelike restoration intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call the office at (972) 932-3918.