{"id":193,"date":"2026-07-28T16:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/?p=193"},"modified":"2026-07-28T16:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:35:26","slug":"5-things-you-should-stop-doing-after-getting-dental-implants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/28\/5-things-you-should-stop-doing-after-getting-dental-implants\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things You Should Stop Doing After Getting Dental Implants"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_178922366__1765398386_22997.jpg\" alt=\"Patient scratching at their dental implants\" class=\"wp-image-194\" style=\"width:301px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_178922366__1765398386_22997.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_178922366__1765398386_22997-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_178922366__1765398386_22997-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dental implants are built to last a lifetime. However, even the most durable restoration doesn&#8217;t stand a chance against repeated bad habits. But what could you be doing that&#8217;s so destructive? If you&#8217;ve recently gotten <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/dental-implants.html\">dental implants<\/a> or are considering them, continue reading. You&#8217;ll find five habits worth breaking to protect your investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Chewing on Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it seems harmless, chomping on ice cubes is a risky move for implants. Doing so puts sudden, concentrated pressure on the crown attached to the implant underneath, which can cause it to crack or chip. While the implant post itself is unlikely to be damaged, the restoration on top isn&#8217;t designed to withstand repeated stress from hard food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Using Your Teeth as Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opening packages, tearing tags, or holding items with your teeth is something most people do without a second thought. However, it places unexpected force on your implant in directions it isn&#8217;t built to handle. Instead of using your pearly whites, keep a pair of scissors handy, and save your smile from the strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Smoking or Using Tobacco<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tobacco use significantly slows healing and increases the risk of implant failure, especially in the months following placement. The chemicals restrict blood flow to your gums and jawbone, interfering with the osseointegration process that anchors the implant in place. If you smoke or use tobacco and are considering implants, you might consider quitting to improve your success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Skipping Nightguards If You Grind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you clench or grind your teeth at night, not wearing a nightguard can allow the constant, repetitive pressure to damage your implant. Over time, this can loosen the restoration or even damage the surrounding bone. Getting a nightguard is simple, and it&#8217;s a highly effective way to protect your investment while you sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Neglecting Oral Hygiene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Implants can&#8217;t get cavities, but the gum tissue and jawbone supporting them can still develop problems without proper care. Skipping regular brushing and flossing around your implant allows plaque and bacteria to build up, which can lead to peri-implantitis\u2014a serious inflammatory condition that can ultimately cause implant failure if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dental implants have an impressive success rate, but their longevity depends partly on the habits you decide to make or break. Avoiding these five behaviors while taking care of your smile and attending regular checkups gives your implants the best possible chance of lasting a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Boerne Dental Center, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/meet-dr-cole-simpson.html\">Dr. Cole Simpson<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/meet-dr-gregg-vesta.html\">Dr. Gregg Vesta<\/a> are proud to perform the entire dental implant process in-house, from placement to restoration. And if anything should happen, our team is here to help you protect your smile with care and attention. Call (830) 249-2045 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/contact.html\">schedule a dental implant consultation<\/a> with our talented team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dental implants are built to last a lifetime. However, even the most durable restoration doesn&#8217;t stand a chance against repeated bad habits. But what could you be doing that&#8217;s so destructive? If you&#8217;ve recently gotten dental implants or are considering them, continue reading. You&#8217;ll find five habits worth breaking to protect your investment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Habits That Endanger Dental Implants | Boerne Dental Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dental implants are built to last, but bad habits can compromise them. Here are 5 things to avoid to protect your new smile.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boernedental.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/28\/5-things-you-should-stop-doing-after-getting-dental-implants\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Habits That Endanger Dental Implants | Boerne Dental Center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dental implants are built to last, but bad habits can compromise them. 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