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If you have dental implants, you have made an excellent investment in your smile. But just like you wouldn’t buy a house and ignore the basic upkeep (especially in this housing market!), you simply can’t ignore your oral health and keep your dental implants in South Austin happy and functioning properly. Keep reading to learn more about the habits that can put your dental work in danger, plus some tips on how to break them! 

BAD HABIT #1: SKIPPING FLOSSING

In terms of your daily oral hygiene routine, flossing is one of the most crucial steps – especially now that you have dental implants. You need to make sure you are getting between teeth to clean around the implant, removing small food particles and plaque before they turn into bacteria that eats away at the gum line, potentially damaging your dental implant. 

Tip: Leave yourself a note as a reminder to floss. Stick a post-it on your mirror, or set a nightly alarm on your phone! 

BAD HABIT #2: BITING ICE, NAILS, OR USING YOUR TEETH AS TOOLS

Once you have dental implants, you won’t want to use your teeth for anything other than chewing food (and smiling, of course). Biting your nails, chewing ice, or ripping open your latest Amazon package is a bad idea with your natural teeth, but it can be extra damaging with dental implants. Putting too much force on the implant can damage the bone that secures it.

Tip: If chewing on ice or biting your nails is a habit you just can’t break, try the rubber band method – snap a rubber band on your wrist every time you have the urge to bite down! 

BAD HABIT #3: SMOKING

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your oral (and overall) health. The nicotine reduces blood flow to the gums, putting you at a greater risk of developing gum disease. That leads to recession, or the wearing away of gum tissue, which can expose your dental implant and cause it to become loose or fall out.

Tip: If you have tried to quit and not been successful in the past, talk to your doctor or dentist about quitting smoking.    

BAD HABIT #4: NOT VISITING THE DENTIST

Visiting the dentist twice annually is always important, but it’s extra crucial once you have dental implants. In fact, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits to ensure your teeth stay healthy. Failing to make these appointments can make small issues that could have been fixed with early intervention spiral into bigger problems – which could lead to the loss of a dental implant. 

Tip: Make a New Year’s resolution to visit your dentist as often as recommended in the coming year. You’ll thank yourself later! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Fan earned his doctorate of dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry and has been a trusted dentist in South Austin for several years. Passionate about the craft of implant dentistry, Dr. Fan ensures that he stays up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field through routine continuing education. Dr. Fan can be reached via his website or by calling (512) 361-4288.