Dental implants are known to be a very reliable method of tooth replacement; in fact, their success rate is as high as 95 percent. Despite this, however, some patients are still worried about the possibility of their dental implants failing. Fortunately, there are several ways you can minimize the chances of something going wrong with your implant posts. Here are 4 steps that can help you protect your newly rebuilt smile.
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Untreated gum disease can significantly damage the tissues holding your dental implants in place. To protect the health of your gums, it’s important to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits. This naturally means brushing at least twice a day as well as flossing on a daily basis.
When brushing, don’t forget to give the area around your dental implants as much attention as you give the rest of your smile. If you currently use a manual toothbrush, consider switching to an electric one. Studies show that electric toothbrushes tend to be more efficient at removing the plaque that can cause gum disease.
2. Do Not Bite Down On Hard Objects
Even the most durable dental implant can still be damaged if you routinely put too much pressure on it. To protect your implant posts, you should refrain from biting down on anything hard. This can include certain foods such as ice cubes and peppermints as well as inanimate objects such as fingernails or the end of your pen.
3. Get a Nightguard to Protect Your Dental Implants from Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition that causes you to grind and clench your teeth. This often happens while you’re asleep, thus potentially causing you to wake up with a headache or jaw pain the next morning. The excessive strain that bruxism puts on your dental implants can end up causing serious damage in the long run.
Luckily, there’s a simple way to keep your implant posts safe. By wearing a nightguard (a type of oral appliance that is placed over the teeth like a retainer), you can protect your entire smile from bruxism-related harm.
4. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your dental implants at the moment, it’s worth taking the time to visit your regular dentist at least twice a year. They can make sure that the implant posts themselves are still in good shape, and they can evaluate the current health of your jawbone. If there are any problems developing, your dentist can help you figure out the best way to address them long before they can result in dental implant failure.
About the Practice
At Radiance Dentistry Dental Implant Center, we specialize in helping patients reclaim complete smiles with the help of dental implants. From single tooth implants to All-on-4, we can use a variety of approaches to replace any number of teeth from the roots up. To schedule a consultation with us at our office in Irving, visit our website or call (972) 866-7976.