Dental implants are the ultimate solution for tooth loss. Not only do they look great once the treatment is complete, but they stop bone deterioration in your jaw! This means that your dental implants are always working hard to maintain your face structure and help you chew. Shouldn’t you give a little bit of effort back by ensuring they last a lifetime?
If you want to learn how you can keep your dental implants thriving and healthy, continue reading. These three lifestyle changes could make all the difference.
1. Improve Your Diet
There’s no judgment for the occasional snack like some popcorn at the movies or a sticky treat on your birthday. However, if you’re consistently eating poorly, you could be doing your dental implants a disservice. Sugar, acid, and irritating crumbles like popcorn kernels can cause numerous problems.
These can all contribute to triggering gum disease, which will spell disaster for dental implants. Instead, work some healthy greens, fibrous vegetables, and foods rich in calcium and phosphates into your diet. These will improve the health of all of your teeth and strengthen your jawbone for better implant integration.
2. Get Better Sleep
The science is in, and it’s still just as conclusive as when it came in the last time and the time before that. Better sleep improves virtually every aspect of your life, including your dental implants.
While you’re asleep, your body is healing and repairing any damage that has been done during your waking hours. A study conducted by the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine also shows a direct link between the amount of sleep you get and your risk of gum disease. Less sleep increases your chances significantly.
3. Improve Your Oral Care Routine
Brushing once before bed just won’t cut it, especially if you’re trying to preserve your dental implants. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once per day to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Even though your dental implants won’t get cavities like normal teeth, they will benefit from all-around good oral health. This prevents decay from other teeth from spreading into the gums and bone with your implant. It will also slow or halt the progression of gum disease if you contract it.
These three changes seem small, and you may already be working toward one or more of them. However, being conscious of your efforts and the consequences of not following through can help you cement habits. If you need more guidance, reach out to your dentist. They can provide more personalized tips to keep you committed to long-term oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran is a bright and talented dentist with a passion for helping his patients and learning all he can about every field of dentistry. He pursued his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, graduating with high honors. Since then, he has continued to improve his skills through multiple professional organizations. To schedule a dental implant consultation at Covina Family Dental, call (626) 331-0688 or visit the website to delve into other services they provide.