Keep Your Dental Implants Pristine: Three Bad Habits to Kick

The dental community regards dental implants as the best way to replace lost teeth because they look, function, and feel just like the real thing. While dental implants are designed to be lifelike and durable, they are not invincible and can become damaged or fail if they are abused or not cared for properly. Here’s a quick overview of three bad habits that can ruin your dental implants as well as a few tips for quitting them.

Your Smile Isn’t Meant to Open Packages

Using your natural or artificial teeth to open packages or bottles is an excellent way to chip, crack, or break them and make costly restorative dental treatments necessary. While it may be possible to repair a damaged dental crown attached to an implant, it may also be necessary to replace the part completely. To avoid all the inconvenience this can cause, invest in an inexpensive bottle opener or boxcutter for all your package-opening needs.

Grinding Your Teeth Wears You Down

Many people have the unfortunate habit of grinding as a stress response due to anger, frustration, or fear, and this slowly wears away at their enamel and dental implants alike while also causing issues like gum recession and misalignments. If you grind when stressed, being aware of the habit can help you catch and stop yourself in the act. However, there are also people who grind their teeth involuntarily in their sleep, and these individuals should invest in customized nightguards from their dentists to give their smiles superior protection.

Tobacco Destroys Natural and Artificial Teeth

Tobacco use in any form is completely terrible for your oral health and can dramatically increase your risk of implant failure. When you smoke, your gums harden to defend themselves against the noxious chemicals tobacco contains, and doing this frequently can exhaust them and cause them to recede. To make things worse, nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, making it harder for the gums to fight infections that can compromise a dental implant.

It’s best to quit smoking for good at least two weeks before receiving an implant. Consulting with your doctor can help you find an effective way to kick this nasty habit.

A dental implant that has received excellent care should be indistinguishable from natural teeth. With the right habits, you may be able to keep your implants in great shape for decades or even for life.

About the Practice

Souris Valley Dental Group offers exemplary oral health services to the community of Minot. Led by Drs. Mark Hildahl, Jerick Hensen, Grant Neil, Kevin Brodersen, and Joanna Brekhus, the staff delivers compassionate treatment and courteous customer service in a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about caring for your dental implants, contact the office online or dial (701) 852-5595.