There is a ton of information about dental implants online, and one of the facts you’ll encounter the most is that they have a 98% success rate. Of course, that must mean at least 2% fail, right? What causes this to happen, and most importantly, what should you do to avoid being a part of this statistic?
Brush, Brush, Floss…
Dental implants are one of the most advanced dental treatments available today, combining the latest materials with cutting-edge techniques and technology. And what causes them to fail most of the time despite this? Lackluster oral hygiene.
Even though dental implants can’t get cavities, not brushing and flossing daily can lead to bacterial buildup around the post that weakens the gums and bone. This ultimately results in loose and hurting teeth. So when it comes to your natural pearly whites and implants, skipping out on oral hygiene is a bad idea.
Quitting Smoking/Using Tobacco
There’s no need to spend a lot of time on this one—if you smoke or use tobacco, you probably have plenty of people in your life already who go out of their way to tell you how bad it is. Yes, regularly using tobacco can drastically increase your risk for implant failure because it reduces blood flow to your mouth, meaning your gums and bone are weaker and more prone to infection. Thankfully, your implant dentist in Massapequa can actually provide some support in quitting rather than just chastising you—a refreshing difference!
Not Protecting Them
One of the most common causes of dental emergencies is sports-related accidents, and a high-speed ball or errant collision doesn’t distinguish between real teeth and implants. If you play sports regularly, contact or not, investing in a custom mouthguard can save you from having to make an unexpected (and expensive) trip to your dentist.
Maintain Regular Dental Checkups
Ideally, everyone should receive at least two checkups from a dentist each year. Just like with real teeth, these semi-annual exams allow your dentist to take a close look at your implants and help with any issues during their earliest stages. This prevents bigger issues down the road and can easily add years (if not decades) to the life of your implants.
Are implants incredibly strong and durable? Yes. Will they almost certainly fail if you don’t take care of them? Also yes. By following these four tips, you can avoid that day people with implants dread where they suddenly notice their new teeth are wobbly or uncomfortable. With your effort (along with help from your dentist), you can enjoy many years of confident smiles and hearty bites to come.
About the Author
A staple in the Massapequa Park community for four decades, Dr. Allan Mohr is one of the leading implant and cosmetic dentists in the country. On top of helping thousands of patients over the years, he is also an in-demand speaker, educator, and trainer with over 3,000 hours of continuing education. His wealth of knowledge is only exceeded by his passion for helping people.
You can see a few examples of Dr. Mohr’s smile transformations with dental implants here, and if you’d like to have a result just like these, just click here to schedule an appointment or call (516)541-7344.