By design, dental implants are meant to serve as permanent replacements for your natural teeth. That’s one of the aspects that makes them so appealing and intriguing. Ideally, these artificial teeth should last throughout your lifetime without wearing out or needing to be replaced. Of course, to give yourself the best chance for long-term success, you’ll need to play an active role from the start.
Understanding the factors that can extend the lifespan of your dental implants will also make you more aware of your overall dental health.
Stabilized health conditions – Managing health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease helps to promote proper healing following implant placement. When left uncontrolled, these conditions can cause problems with healing, making it difficult to preserve your natural teeth as well as your implants.
Great plaque control – keeping your entire mouth clean and free from gum disease helps to prevent the type of infection that can compromise your implant as well as your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing around your implant just as though they are natural teeth is typically enough to eliminate food particles and plaque bacteria that can cause periodontal disease.
Avoid Tobacco – All forms of tobacco have been shown to increase your risk for oral cancer and gum disease. Smoking, in particular, has been shown to cause delayed healing during the initial implant placement and increase the risk for implant failure within the first 5 years after placement.
Keep it gentle – While dental implants are durable enough for normal chewing and biting, they are not designed to withstand excessive forces. Avoiding habits such as clenching, grinding, nail biting, and ice chewing protects your implants from damage. Wearing a protective mouthguard at night and during athletic activities provides an additional layer of security.
If you’re ready to take the next step and find out if dental implants are right for you, contact the office of Drs. Susan Karabin and Edward Gottesman to schedule your professional consultation today.
