How Can Sugar Affect Your Dental Implants?

Do you enjoy sweets now and then? While hard not to indulge in cakes and pies during family or holiday celebrations, it is essential to moderate our intake of them. This is because too much can affect our sugar levels and teeth. And according to our dentist in Smithfield, dental prosthetics can be affected by our sugar intake.

What is a Dental Implant

Dental implants are dental restorations that consist of a titanium, a crown, and an abutment. Titanium is made of a biocompatible material and is surgically implanted into your jawbone. The abutment or the screw connects the titanium to the artificial crown. Dental implants are a long-term solution that will not require replacements in the future. Once your dental implant is healed, you can treat it as your natural teeth. However, just because it is fake doesn’t mean it’s not susceptible to damage. Just like your natural teeth, dental implants can be infected if not taken care of properly. Visit our dental office for dental implants in Smithfield.

Receiving Implants

A dental consultation that will include a physical assessment and examination of your teeth will be required before dental implants are decided to be the solution for you. Then, after you have received the go-ahead to get them from your dentist, an appointment will be scheduled on when the procedure will be done.

On the day of your dental implant surgery, the dentist will administer sedation to make the process painless and comfortable. Next, they will make a small incision on your gum to access the jawbone and fix the implant post. After the surgery, the site will take several months to heal fully and the implant to fuse with the jawbone. You will be provided a temporary crown to protect the site until it’s fully healed.

After the site has fully healed, a second appointment will be scheduled. During this appointment, the implant dentist will connect the abutments and the custom-made dental crown to the dental implant. The dentist will ensure that your fake crown is well-fitted before you leave the dental office.

How Sugar Impacts Your Dental Implants

Its common knowledge that sugars cause damage to our teeth. When sugar remains on our teeth, the bacteria present can lead to teeth erosion. Whether the sugar is from alcohol, chocolate, or sports drinks, it erodes the enamel making our teeth vulnerable to infections and cavities. Additionally, it will lead to oral pain and sensitivity. And the more sugar is consumed, the higher your chances of tooth decay which can spread to your roots and bones.

While dental implants are a permanent solution, they still need care. They are susceptible to sugar damage, especially during the healing period. For this reason, you need to eat a balanced, sugar-free diet. At Webber Comprehensive Dentistry, we will guide you on how to take care of your dental implants.

Caring For Your Dental Implants

Several factors, including our dental hygiene, determine the lifespan of our dental implants. Here are tips on how to take care of your dental implants.

• While it may seem obvious to most people, it’s not uncommon for some to skip bruising their teeth once they get dental implants. It is a fact that fake teeth cannot develop cavities or decay. But the jawbone and the gums surrounding the implant can be affected by plaque and tartar. Severe damage to the surrounding tissues could loosen the implant leading to more extensive dental procedures.
• Have regular dental checkups at least twice a year. Brushing and flossing your teeth are no match for professional cleaning. The dentist can clean and floss places you aren’t able to. During these checkups, the dentist can also notice potential infections on your implants or teeth.
• The primary function of our teeth is to chew food. However, most of us have been using them for other purposes, such as opening bottles and packages and biting our nails. These habits can easily damage our dental implants and natural teeth.
• Use a mouthguard if you frequently participate in contact sports or suffer from bruxism. Mouthguards will protect your implants from damage in direct impact or teeth-grinding situations.