Each year, over a million people are treated for missing teeth throughout the United States, resulting in an average of 2.5 million dental implants annually.[1] If you’re one of the people in need of a tooth replacement in Rochester, it’s imperative that you understand how to extend the lifespan of your implants.
By making a few strategic lifestyle changes, you can achieve longer-lasting implants and better overall oral health.
1. Eat a Balanced Diet
Establishing a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for your dental implants and overall health. This means eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while cutting down on sugary, sticky foods and drinks. A healthy diet can also contribute to healthy bone health, which is essential for keeping the implants in place.
Additionally, sugary or acidic foods are particularly harmful to your natural teeth and implants. They can contribute to bacterial growth and tooth rot.[2] If you do consume the occasional sugary or acidic food, make sure to rinse your mouth right after.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water throughout the day can help with saliva production, which is essential for natural tooth and dental implant health. Saliva destroys the bacteria that can lead to cavities and, when left untreated for too long, can put you in danger of losing further teeth. If you drink, you should also moderate your alcohol intake because it can dehydrate you, affecting your saliva production.
3. Brush and Floss Daily
You must treat your dental implants like you would your natural teeth. This means brushing your teeth at least twice daily using a soft bristle to prevent damaging the implants. Floss twice a day to remove any food particles and plaque that may be stuck between your teeth. Dental floss options are made especially for implants to ensure you keep them in pristine shape. For additional protection, you can use mouth rinse as well.
4. Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods
Although dental implants act like natural teeth and allow you to chew through foods normally, they can chip and crack under too much pressure. For example, avoid hard candies and chewing on ice. Sticky foods can also be dangerous, potentially dislodging the dental implant.
Another food you want to avoid is popcorn. The kernels can get stuck between the implant and the gums and cause damage to the gum and supporting bone.
5. Quit Smoking
If you smoke, one of the most important things that you can do for your overall health, including the health of your dental implants, is to quit. The nicotine tobacco contains restricts blood flow to your gums, weakening your immune system and making it easier for bacteria to flourish.[3]
If you’ve just undergone implant placement, this can delay healing and increase the likelihood of implant failure.
6. Don’t Use Your Teeth Like Tools
If you have a habit of tearing packages open with your teeth, you can end up chipping your natural teeth and implants. When you use your teeth like tools, you’re putting a lot of pressure on the enamel and the materials of the implants.
7. Get Regular Checkups
It’s essential that you get regular checkups with your periodontist. They will be able to notice any issues with your teeth, gums, or implants and form appropriate treatment plans to address them.
Contact Us for Tooth Replacement in Rochester
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is one of the best options available because implants mimic your natural teeth. To ensure that you get the maximum benefit from this procedure, you want to make necessary, but simple lifestyle changes to protect your oral health.
At Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester, our team can help you get the dental implants you need and provide the necessary checkups to extend the lifespan of the implants. Contact us at 585-534-3346 to speak with a periodontist about tooth replacement in Rochester.
Sources:
[1] https://connect.aaid-implant.org/blog/trends-in-dental-implants-2022
[2] https://www.dentalhealth.org/diet-and-my-teeth
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html