New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate. In fact, according to some estimates, they are successful in over 95 percent of cases! However, there are some instances in which dental implant failure in New Haven occurs. In this blog post, we will discuss some practical ways in which you can minimize the risk that your new, implant-supported teeth will run into serious problems.
Focus on Oral Hygiene
One of the leading causes of dental implant failure is an infection known as peri-implantitis. When bacteria invade the tissue surrounding an implant, the implant can lose its base of support. To keep peri-implantitis at bay, thorough oral hygiene is a must. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Using an antibacterial mouth rinse may also be beneficial. Also, keep in mind that drinking lots of water can help to rinse away harmful bacteria.
Do Not Smoke
Cigarettes are bad for oral and overall health in numerous ways. For example, smoking can increase the risk of dry mouth, and a dry mouth is more prone to accumulate harmful bacteria. Additionally, smoking can slow down the immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections. If you smoke, every effort you make to kick the habit will be well worth it.
Be Alert for Signs of Bruxism
Bruxism is a word used to describe teeth grinding and clenching. It places excess stress on the dental implants and may contribute to their failure. Many people do not realize they grind their teeth because the bruxism occurs mainly while they are asleep. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or your partner has heard you grinding your teeth at night, speak to your dentist about the problem. They may provide a custom mouthguard that will protect your teeth while you sleep.
Manage Your Overall Health
Some systemic health conditions can pose a threat to dental implants. For example, uncontrolled diabetes is dangerous for implants because it increases the risk of infection and dry mouth. You should do your best to stick to good habits and work with your general care practitioner to manage any chronic conditions that you may have.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
At your twice-yearly checkups, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, your gums, and your dental implants. If they notice any possible signs of early problems with your replacement teeth, it might be possible to get ahead of the issue and prevent it from becoming worse.
You do not need to be overly worried that your dental implants will fail. As long as you take some simple preventive measures, such as the ones listed above, you can be confident that your new smile will stand the test of time.
Meet the Practice
The team of dentists and specialists at New Haven Dental Group are pleased to offer start to finish dental implant care. Whether you are just thinking about replacing your missing teeth, or you have already been enjoying dental implants for years, they would be pleased to help you enjoy the best oral health possible. To learn more about our practice and how we may be able to serve you, contact us at 203-941-6619.