Dental implant technology is fantastic. The porcelain crowns and metal implant screws are tough and sturdy, allowing you to eat and talk almost as if nothing had happened to your original teeth. But implants are not immune to damage, and you still have your gums and jawbone to think about, not to mention your adjacent teeth. Keep those implants in good shape by following a few rules.

Stop Smoking

One of the best things you can do to ensure the success of your dental implant is to stop smoking. The effect of smoking on oral health is well-known, but what many people don't realize is that smoking can increase the chances of the implant failing as your jawbone tries to heal. And that doesn't mean that you just have to stop smoking for a few months while everything sets; the effects are present as long as you smoke. and if your implant starts to fail, the surrounding teeth could also start to move and cause trouble.

Floss and Brush Like You've Never Flossed and Brushed Before

When you lose an entire tooth, you also lose a valuable way to tell if something is going wrong; the nerve endings in the tooth go, too. That makes it even more vital to brush and floss around the implant because you have to ensure the best possible hygiene. It's very easy for a gum or jaw problem to start up without you knowing because, even though you still have nerve endings in your gums and jaw, you're missing a very sensitive part of the whole system.

Don't Avoid the Dentist

Sure, a porcelain tooth crown might not be susceptible to decay, but your gums haven't been replaced. And for all that brushing and flossing, you can still end up with plaque forming right where the implant crown meets the gumline. No matter how many implants you have or how well you think your oral-hygiene routine is, you've got to see your dentist for regular exams and cleanings. That's the best way to spot problems that are just starting to form because the dentist has access to x-rays and is also better at spotting those little things that you might ignore.

Caring for implants really isn't that hard; it's more a matter of being consistent and sensible, rather than having to do anything really wild. Talk to a dentist, like John P Poovey DMD PC, about creating a care routine that is easy to follow.