Habits to Avoid If You Have Tooth Implants

Dental implants offer a wide range of benefits—if you choose to replace your missing teeth with them, you probably already know this! However, the outstanding benefits and beautiful results of a tooth implant in Columbus, Ohio, won’t last forever if you don’t care for them properly.  

Certain old habits can have a devastating effect on the future of your smile if you have dental implants.  

Why Is It Important to Take Care of Your Tooth Implants?

Dental implants are one of the most effective and long-lasting restorative dentistry solutions for patients with one or several missing teeth. Unlike dental bridges, implants have a titanium tooth “root” inserted into the jawbone, ensuring the stability you need to chew and speak comfortably.  

In addition, dental implants support oral health, prevent tooth shifting, and maintain facial structure by halting the natural loss of jawbone density that results from missing teeth.  

For all of that, dental implants are considered the restorative solution that mostly resembles a natural tooth, giving you back most of your bite power. As amazing as these replacement tooth roots are, they aren’t invincible. An implant can last around 15 years, but certain negative habits can shorten their lifecycle even more.

Here are nine bad habits you’ll want to avoid with dental implants.

Habit #1: Bad Oral Hygiene  

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an ADA-approved solution are the three essential components of a good oral hygiene routine. Whether you have one or six dental implants, you should keep your mouth free of harmful plaque and debris.

Failure to do so may result in plaque accumulation on your teeth, which could lead to gum disease and cavities on healthy teeth. If you don’t, gum disease may progress into a severe infection called periodontitis, which may lead to tooth loss while putting your dental implants at risk.

Even if all of your teeth are artificial, your gum tissue is still prone to illness and infection, so you still need to take good care of your smile to reduce your risk of developing major oral health issues.

Habit #2: Smoking or Chewing Tobacco

Smoking and dental implants don’t go hand-in-hand. Besides being bad for your overall health, cigarettes can make it difficult, if not impossible, for the implant posts to fuse with bone tissues, as it hampers the body’s ability to heal.

Therefore, dental implant failure may occur even before your personalized restoration is delivered. In fact, the failure rate of dental implants in smokers is up to three times higher than in nonsmokers.  

Even if your implant is firmly in place, smoking produces dry mouth, making it easier for oral bacteria to grow. This increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but if you can do so with the help of some cessation resources, your mouth—and your entire body—will help you.

Habit #3: Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth

Clenching or grinding your teeth can put too much pressure on your dental implants, which can cause fractures, cracks, and wear and tear. This pressure over time may also weaken or break the implant's bond with the bone, leading to loosening or failure.

Speak with your dentist if you think you clench or grind your teeth, especially at night.

Habit #4: Neglecting a Balanced Diet

Your diet plays a big role in your oral and overall health. Certain vital nutrients can foster your oral health, including the health of your dental implants.

For example, minerals like calcium and vitamin D help strengthen the bone structure, which is critical for supporting dental implants. Eat fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean meats, and other vital nutrients for strong bones and gums.

Habit #5: Consuming Too Much Sugar  

There are 50 to 100 billion bacteria in the mouth; some are good and necessary for your oral health, and others are more harmful.

The “bad” oral bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease feed on sugar and release acids, which attack the teeth and weaken the enamel. After all, cavities being associated with sugar is not just a stereotype.

If the decay becomes bad enough, it can progress into gum disease, causing complications like tooth and implant loss. That’s why you should be careful with the amount of sugar you consume.

This doesn’t mean giving up on desserts, though. If you’re passionate about your candy, make sure to brush and rinse your mouth properly afterward, which can help reduce the chances of decay.

Habit #6: Nail Biting

Nail-biting is a common nervous habit, but it can be detrimental to dental implants.

Biting your nails puts extra strain on the implant crowns, increasing the risk of wear, chips, and cracks. Furthermore, biting your nails transfers bacteria from your hands into your mouth, raising the possibility of infections near the implant site.

To prevent stress or anxiety, try finding other coping mechanisms. Some alternatives are using stress balls or practicing mindfulness. Keeping your nails clipped short can also lessen the desire to bite them.

Habit #7: Using Teeth as Tools

While it may seem simpler to simply rip open a bag with your teeth, every time you do so, you run the risk of damaging your dental implants. They are strong and resilient, but they are not unbreakable—this bad habit could cause them to suffer considerable damage.

Avoid using your natural and artificial teeth when handling objects like scissors, pliers, or bottle openers. Unlike your teeth, these tools are made specifically for that purpose. The increased pressure applied to your implants may crack or break them, necessitating expensive and time-consuming restorative care.  

Habit #8: Not Wearing a Mouthguard During Sports

It is risky to play contact sports or engage in other activities where there is a chance of oral trauma if you do not wear a mouthguard. Not only can an impact on the face or jaw compromise your dental implants, but it also runs the risk of breaking your jawbone. This may need expensive repairs, implant replacement, or even surgery.

Wearing a specially fitted mouthguard is key to reducing the risk of dental injury when participating in sports or other activities. A mouthguard acts as a barrier to absorb force and shield your implants, natural teeth, and jaw from harm.

Habit #9: Skipping Dental Checkups  

You should schedule examinations and cleanings with your dentist at least every six months after receiving dental implants and even after your abutments are securely in place. This will enable us to assess your prosthetics, clean your teeth of plaque and tartar buildup, and look for any indications of damage or infection.

The term "peri-implantitis" refers to gum inflammation that develops around the soft tissue surrounding the implant site. It is often caused by infection and bacterial buildup.  

The issue with peri-implantitis is that it frequently requires surgical intervention to resolve and can cause the bone that supports the dental implant to deteriorate. Some potential indicators of peri-implant diseases are red or tender gums around the implants or bleeding when brushing.

Regularly visiting your dentist is crucial to prevent implant failure and avoid a surgical intervention.

Protect Your Tooth Implant in Columbus, Ohio

As you can see, seemingly unharmful habits may be putting your new smile at risk. Make the required changes to bid these harmful habits farewell and offer your newly acquired teeth the best chance for a more prosperous and long-lasting future.

And if you’re due for an appointment, reach out to Spectrum Dental & Prosthodontics! Preventive care is your smile’s best aid in avoiding serious complications related to your implant.