Are you looking for reliable, long-term replacement teeth to close the gaps in your grin? Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to rebuild your appearance and abilities after tooth loss because of their unique placement in your jawbone. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they are surgically embedded in your jaw to be stronger and more resilient.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Continue reading to learn about 3 changes you can make to your daily habits to help keep your new teeth in great shape!
Change #1: Implement a Routine
These prosthetics aren’t made from the same organic materials as your teeth, so they don’t develop tooth decay. Many patients falsely believe that means they don’t need to worry about maintaining a daily dental hygiene routine, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The leading cause of failure is a form of gum disease, called peri-implantitis, that can erode the bone and connective tissues holding your new tooth in place. Brushing and flossing both morning and night removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to this and other oral issues.
Change #2: Don’t Smoke
Many patients who smoke regularly want to know whether they can still get dental implants. After all, tobacco products, like vapes and cigarettes, contain nicotine. This addictive ingredient is also a vasoconstrictor that limits your blood oxygen levels and flow. As a result, your body can’t deliver essential nutrients to your teeth and gums to form enough new bone material to fuse with the titanium rod of your implant, which can lead to its failure.
Not only that, but nicotine also suppresses your immune system, meaning your mouth is less likely to benefit from infection-fighting cells that keep disease at bay. Unfortunately, this increases the likelihood of developing an infection. It’s best to quit smoking to keep your restoration happy and healthy.
Change #3: Avoid Alcohol
It can take three to six or more months to heal from implant surgery because that’s how long it takes your jaw to produce enough new bone growth to fuse with the titanium rod. Many dentists recommend avoiding alcohol during this time because of how it impacts this stage of recovery.
This is because alcohol is a blood thinner and disrupts the formation of blood clots, which are essential for the implant site to heal. It is also a diuretic that can dehydrate you so your mouth dries out. This encourages unhealthy bacteria to thrive, leading to a greater risk of infection.
About the Practice
Patients at Ross & Sourlis Family Dentistry of Rock Hill benefit from two dentists committed to helping them build their healthiest, most beautiful smiles. Dr. Coombs and Dr. Ross collaborate to provide a complete array of services to people of all ages, so you and your family receive the same top-quality care. Then, they take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals so they can tailor treatment plans to meet them. Their compassionate approach is combined with state-of-the-art equipment to increase your comfort while they deliver accurate results meant to last. They work with the best local experts for accurate dental implant placement and provide realistic restorations made to match your natural smile. You can request an appointment by contacting the office on the website or call (803) 324-5301.