Dental implants are a long-term investment in your smile, offering durability, function, and a natural appearance. While they’re designed to last for decades — even a lifetime — their success depends heavily on how you care for them. Just like natural teeth, implants can be damaged or compromised by certain bad habits. If you want to protect your investment, here are the top 6 habits to avoid.
1. Skipping Daily Oral Hygiene
It’s a common misconception that implants don’t require the same level of care as natural teeth because they can’t get cavities. While that’s true, the surrounding gums and bone are still vulnerable to infection. Skipping brushing or flossing can lead to peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that can cause bone loss and implant failure. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and use any cleaning tools your dentist recommends.
2. Using Your Teeth as Tools
Opening bottles, tearing packaging, or biting your nails may seem harmless, but these habits put unnecessary pressure on your implants. Even though implant crowns are made from durable materials like porcelain or zirconia, they can still chip, crack, or loosen. Always use proper tools and keep your teeth for chewing food only.
3. Chewing on Hard Objects
Biting ice cubes, hard candies, or unpopped popcorn kernels can damage the crown or stress the implant post. Even natural teeth can fracture from these habits, and implants are not invincible. If you have a habit of chewing on pens or pencils, work on breaking it to protect your smile.
4. Smoking or Tobacco Use
Smoking is one of the biggest threats to dental implants. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums, slowing healing after surgery and increasing the risk of implant failure. Long term, smoking can also contribute to gum disease, bone loss, and staining of the implant crown. Quitting tobacco products is one of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health.
5. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
If you grind or clench your teeth — especially at night — you’re putting excessive force on your implants. Over time, this can wear down the crown or loosen the implant. If your dentist suspects bruxism, they may recommend a custom night guard to protect both your implants and natural teeth.
6. Ignoring Dental Checkups
Even if your implants feel fine, skipping regular dental visits can allow small problems to go unnoticed until they become serious. Your dentist will check the health of the surrounding bone and gums, the condition of the crown, and the stability of the implant. Professional cleanings also help prevent plaque buildup around the implant site.
Dental implants are built to be strong and reliable, but they’re not maintenance-free. Avoiding harmful habits — like poor oral hygiene, smoking, or chewing on hard objects — will help your implants stay functional and beautiful for years to come. With proper care and regular checkups, you can enjoy your investment for a lifetime.
About the Practice
Are you looking for tooth restoration that’s natural, fully functional, and can last you a lifetime? Here at Mt. Holly Family Dentistry, we’ve got just what you need with dental implants! Our friendly and experienced dental team can perform the process all in-house, meaning you won’t need a referral to make a trip to another office you’re unfamiliar with. If you’re ready to get your confidence back, don’t hesitate – head to our website to schedule your appointment or call us at (609) 267-3230.