Protect Your Investment: 3 Lifestyle Changes to Keep Your Implants Strong

Now that you have dental implants, you may be excited about the many benefits they’ll bring. You’ll have a stable bite that doesn’t move while lasting for decades to come. However, to ensure you get the most out of this lifespan, it’s important that you do what you can to protect your investment! Here are three simple ways that you can do just that to keep your new smile the best it can be.

1.)  Be Mindful of Your Meals

As was mentioned above, dental implants are incredibly reliable compared to dentures. They are held fast by posts that are placed in your jawbone. However, certain foods can spell trouble. Particularly, sweets like hard candies and sticky treats are very sugary. These can increase your risk of oral health issues, such as gum disease. Not only that, they may lead to damage or pull at your tooth replacement while it’s still healing!

Instead, you should eat food that benefits your oral and overall health! Here are some to keep stocked up on:

• Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients that can keep your immune system strong and promote saliva production. This can wash away harmful bacteria around your implant.
• Dairy products (such as cheese, yogurt, and milk) are full of calcium and phosphorus, which can help keep your jawbone strong.
• Lean proteins (like tofu, beans, fish, and chicken) can help promote healing while encouraging the health of your gums.

2.)  Stop Unhealthy Habits

If you smoke or chew tobacco, then you may want to consider quitting this habit. It can slow down how fast you heal after your surgery while increasing your risk for jawbone loss. You may be more likely to develop gum disease, which often can cause dental implant failure.

You might also want to limit your alcohol consumption. When you drink it, it can cause dry mouth. This will make it harder for you to wash away harmful bacteria. They can attack the gums and bone around the tooth replacement, making it unstable over time.

3.)  Follow a Proper Oral Hygiene Routine

One of the best things you can do is keep up with your dental hygiene routine. Not only will doing this help keep plaque off your implant, but your natural teeth as well. By brushing twice and flossing at least once a day, you’ll effectively remove any bacteria in your mouth. This also includes visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

Your provider is trained to watch for signs of failure and take steps to avoid it. Doing this along with the two simple lifestyle habits above can help you keep your dental implant as strong as possible. That way, you keep it protected for decades to come.

About the Practice

At Dentistry of Wisconsin, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who look after you and your oral health. We understand how tooth loss can happen to anyone, so we are proud to offer dental implants as a reliable solution. By doing this entire treatment in-office, you stay with a team you trust. If you have any other questions or want to keep your tooth replacement strong, schedule an appointment or call either our Waupun or Beaver Dam office.