Are you one of the 178 million Americans with missing teeth? If so, you might be wondering if dental implants are the right choice for you.
Implants are permanent artificial teeth that are cemented into your jaw. And with good dental implant care, you can keep them for life.
Like any other part of your body, dental implants need a little TLC. If you’re considering getting dental implants, read on! Here are five tips on caring for dental implants to keep them in tip-top shape.
1. Use a Soft Bristled Toothbrush
Having dental implants installed is an investment and a commitment to long-term oral health. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is essential to maintaining healthy dental implants according to this professional dentist in Carmel Valley CA.
Regular, gentle brushing with a softer brush head will help remove plaque and bacteria without causing abrasion that could damage the implant or the abutment. The bristles of a soft brushed toothbrush reach all of the nooks and crannies of the implant. It helps remove any hidden food particles and plaque without causing any harm.
It also helps protect the gums and jawbone from tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease, which can damage implants. Brushing once or twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush is an essential part of maintaining healthy dental implants for a lifetime.
2. Schedule Regular Visits to the Dentist
To ensure the longevity of your dental implants, scheduling regular visits to the dentist is essential. It is important to ensure that the jawbone is strong and able to support the implant.
X-rays are often taken to evaluate the condition of the bone. It helps to prevent any diseases associated with the gum tissue surrounding the implant.
Your dentist will also monitor the function of the bit. They will closely observe for any signs of infection, bleeding, or other complications that can arise.
It also ensures that your implants remain free of plaque build-up and that you remain free from any discomfort. With routine check-ups and cleans, any changes or complications that arise will be addressed sooner rather than later, making it easier to resolve.
3. Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Good oral health and dental hygiene are essential to having successful dental implants. Smoking and alcohol abuse can result in many problems prior to and after implant placement that can lead to failure and implant loss.
Smoking affects saliva production, which weakens its abrasion effect on teeth and teeth surfaces which can cause a higher plaque deposit, periodontal disease, and even gum necrosis. Alcohol consumption can lead to dry mouth, decreased saliva production, and poor wound healing.
Also, unhealthy behaviors like smoking and excessive alcohol intake can weaken the body’s immune system, limiting its ability to fight off infection and increasing the risk of developing an infection after a dental implant procedure.
Avoiding smoking and alcohol helps ensure that the implant itself has a chance to heal and integrate properly with the jawbone, and proper oral hygiene should always be practiced. Making the effort to avoid smoking and alcohol is essential for successful dental implant treatment.
4. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods
Eating hard and sticky food items can be disastrous for dental implants. Pressure built up from biting or chewing on these foods can damage the implant and the artificial tooth replacement.
Even sticking candy can cause damage to dental implants. Plaque adheres to sticky and hard foods more easily than other snacks, which may cause irreversible damage to the implant, gums, and surrounding teeth.
Avoiding these foods can help preserve implants and keep gums and surrounding teeth healthy. When left unchecked, hard and sticky foods can cause fractures and displacement of both the implant and its replacement.
Moreover, if the implant’s abutment requires removal, the chances of complications increase significantly. Avoiding hard and sticky foods is vital for patients with dental implants.
5. Floss Daily
Flossing daily helps maintain proper oral hygiene and health, especially if you have dental implants. It removes plaque and bacteria that can lead to gum inflammation and periodontal disease.
Plaque and bacteria levels that accumulate on the gums can cause the area to become inflamed, leading to the breakdown of tissues that support the implant. This can cause pain, swelling, and irritation.
Flossing daily will help keep these levels off the implant surface, reducing your risk of implant failure. It can also help to remove food particles from around implants, preventing bad breath and tooth decay.
Taking care of dental implants requires more attention than natural teeth. This makes it essential to floss daily to keep your implants healthy in the long term.
6. Avoid Damaging Habits
Good dental habits are essential for optimal dental implant success. Damaging habits, such as clenching or grinding teeth, can lead to failure of the implant or other complications. As a result, avoiding these damaging habits is essential for good dental implant results.
When left untreated, clenching and grinding teeth can eventually cause the destruction of the dental implant, leading to bone loss and a poor long-term outcome. Also, avoid using your teeth as tools. This means never using your teeth to open packages, crack nuts, or bite your nails. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat, cold, or acidic foods and beverages may deform implants, so be sure to keep your consumption to a minimum.
Overall, avoiding damaging habits is essential for a successful outcome of the implant. Proper dental hygiene, avoiding habits that may cause bone loss, and talking to your implant dentist about any dental concerns are important steps for optimal implant success.
Following the suggested maintenance is highly important for all restorations. To learn more about dental implants, talk to your dental care professional. Get the facts and restrictions after dental implant.
Learn More About Caring for Dental Implants Now
These five tips for caring for dental implants will ensure years of healthy and confident smiles. Most importantly, be sure to take advantage of your local dental professionals and make regular check-ups part of your routine.
If you haven’t scheduled an appointment yet, now is the time!
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HussaiN is a full-time professional blogger from India. He is passionate about content writing, tech enthusiasts, and computer technologies. Apart from content writing on the internet, he likes reading various tech magazines and several other blogs on the internet. Email ID: [email protected]
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