Americans bite off more than they can chew. Over one-quarter of Americans older than 65 have eight or fewer of their natural teeth remaining.
Dental implants are one way that people with missing teeth can eat and talk properly. Yet you can make mistakes with dental implants.
What kinds of implants should you get? What are dental implant care strategies you should follow? How can you support your implants so they do not fall out?
Answer these questions and you can chew on your food without issue in no time. Here are five mistakes you can avoid.
1. Picking the Wrong Types of Dental Implants
There are several different kinds of dental implants, each with its own uses. Endosteal implants rely on screws that are inserted into the jawbone. A cap then fits on top of the screw that resembles a natural tooth.
Subperiosteal implants go into the gum tissue. They may be cheaper than endosteal implants, but you should not get them just because they are inexpensive. They are for patients with short bones.
2. Not Cooperating With the Dental Implant Procedure
Drilling screws into the jawbone is a serious process. You must cooperate with all of your doctor’s guidelines, especially after the implant has gone in.
Do not eat hard foods or apply pressure to your implant for a few days after the procedure. Rest so the screw fuses with the jawbone and remains upright.
3. Continuing to Smoke
Smoking causes significant damage to all of the teeth, gums, and soft tissues in your mouth. Smoke in and of itself stains the teeth and spreads bacteria. But the toxins found inside cigarettes and cigars can mutate cells and cause cancers.
If you have not quit smoking, you should. Do not smoke any cigarettes for several days after an implant goes in. You risk lengthening the healing process or damaging cells in your gums.
4. Choosing the Wrong Foods
Eating with dental implants is manageable, as long as you focus on soft foods. Seedless berries, oatmeal, and cooked chicken are good options.
Try to avoid chewing on your implant, but don’t pull your jaw over to the opposite side. You need your screw to stand up straight and remain firm in your bone, and you risk tilting it if you pull on your jaw.
5. Not Brushing or Flossing Implants
Your implants are not natural teeth. But you should still treat them as though they are natural.
If you don’t brush them, they will become discolored. Bacteria can slip into your gums or jaw and cause a significant infection.
Five Common Mistakes With Dental Implants
You can avoid the most common mistakes with dental implants. Ask your dentist what the right implants for you are. They may be expensive, but they are worth the price.
Give your teeth and jaws plenty of time to recover. Stop smoking, especially after the procedure.
Select soft foods that do not contain seeds or other materials that may get stuck in your teeth. Care for your implants by brushing them as you would for your natural teeth.
Teeth should be one of your top priorities for your health. Find out more dental guides by following our coverage.
