When you get dental implants, you might be excited about the many benefits they bring you. With your stronger bite and full smile, you may be ecstatic to show off your grin once again. However, they are an investment, so you should do your best to protect them. Thankfully, by making these three lifestyle changes, you can keep them in great shape for decades to come.
1.) Watch Your Diet
Although dental implants give you up to 90% of your bite back, certain foods can cause trouble for them. Hard items like some candies can lead to damage to both your natural teeth and the tooth replacement. Sugary things can also increase your risk of oral health issues, such as an infection in your gums.
With that said, there are also tasty choices you should eat plenty of as they can benefit your oral and overall health. These are some you can enjoy safely:
- Fruits and vegetables are a classic choice as they are full of nutrients and vitamins that boost your overall well-being and immune system. Crunchy ones can also promote saliva production, meaning harmful bacteria will have trouble causing issues for your implant.
- Dairy products are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which can be great for keeping your jawbone strong. Cheese, yogurt, and milk are some you can eat.
- Lean proteins can be great for promoting healing and gum health, so get plenty of chicken, fish, beans, and tofu.
2.) Break Unhealthy Habits
While chewing or smoking tobacco might be a habit of yours, you should consider quitting if you have dental implants. Doing them can slow down your recovery after placement surgery, but they lead to jawbone loss over time. You will also be at risk for gum disease, which can lead to failure as well.
If you also drink excess amounts of alcohol, then that can cause trouble. These types of beverages can cause dry mouth, which reduces your saliva production. Harmful bacteria will be able to linger in your mouth for longer and attack the supportive structures and infect them. This can make your results wobbly over time.
3.) Take Good Care of Your Smile
Everything above can help protect your dental implants, but they won’t be able to replace daily brushing and flossing. Doing both twice daily can remove plaque that can cause problems in the first place. That way, you can do what you can at home to protect your smile from any harm.
Not only that, but don’t forget to visit your dentist! They are trained to watch for signs of failure and take steps against them. That way, you are able to avoid any issues and keep your full grin strong for as long as possible.
About the Practice
At Jacksonville Dental Excellence, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Ryan Johnson and Dr. Rose Johnson. We are dedicated to helping the local community restore their missing teeth with reliable treatments like dental implants. By completing the entire process in-house, you stick with a team you trust throughout. Better yet, we can work with you afterward to protect your investment. If you want more tips on taking care of your results with this treatment, schedule an appointment or call our office at (904) 895-4536.