5 Bad Habits to Avoid If You Have Dental Implants

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, nothing comes close to matching the impressive results that dental implants have to offer. These awesome little implants can perfectly replicate your natural teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality—and they can last for a very long time with proper care! That said, if you’ve just received dental implants, there are a few things that you should avoid doing entirely to protect and preserve them. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Biting Your Fingernails

Many people bite their fingernails due to either stress or boredom, but this is a bad habit that can lead to chipped teeth or implants! Not to mention, your fingernails are vehicles for bacteria to enter your mouth, which can quickly lead to nasty infections and other health concerns. This puts your dental implants at risk—if you suffer an oral infection, your implants can become loose. Instead of biting your nails, opt for sugarless chewing gum!

2. Using Your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth are the best tools at your disposal for eating; but they shouldn’t be used for anything else! Using your teeth to tear open packaging, unscrew bottlecaps, or hold items when your hands are full is one of the easiest ways to damage them. Not only are your teeth and implants at risk—you can also hurt your actual jawbone if you use your teeth in inadvisable ways.

3. Smoking or Using Tobacco Products

Smoking is notoriously bad for you; and it’s incredibly bad for your oral health! Smoking and using tobacco heighten your risk for gum disease and interferes with the regrowth of bone, both of which contribute to dental implant failure. Overall, it can increase your risk of dental implant failure tenfold! If you care about keeping your dental implants, do not smoke or use tobacco.

4. Consuming Too Much Sugar

Nothing expedites tooth decay like sugar does! Overindulging in sugary and acidic snacks can easily cause cavities, gum disease, and all sorts of other problems for your oral health and dental implants. This can lead to jawbone damage as well as the deterioration of the connective tissues that hold your teeth and implants in place. Consider cutting back on the sweets to help preserve the integrity of your implants.

5. Skipping Dental Visits

Visiting your dentist twice a year for biannual checkups and cleanings should be one of your top priorities, and if you have implants, it might be wise to have more frequent checkups! These visits allow your dentist to inspect your implants and ensure that they’re working as intended without any underlying issues. That said, skipping out on these increases the likelihood of a problem developing and getting out of hand.

Your dental implants can completely change your life for the better, but only if you take good care of them! Knowing some of the common reasons for dental implant failure can help to guarantee that yours give you the beautiful and functional smile you deserve for many years to come.  

About the Author

Dr. Idan Snapir brings over 20 years of experience and expertise to his practice in Van Nuys and is honored to serve patients and families in the area. Dr. Snapir received his dental doctorate from the UCLA School of Dentistry and has pursued countless hours of continuing education in fields such as dental implant placement. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a visit, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Snapir either online or by phone: (818) 392-5816.