Dental implants offer an amazing solution for restoring smiles and reclaiming functionality after tooth loss. Also, they are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth.
While dental implants are to be long-lasting, proper care and maintenance are essential for ensuring their success and longevity. Knowing how to care for your implants correctly is crucial to maximize longevity and preserve their pristine appearance.
This guide will explore everything you need to know about mastering dental implant care. We’ll cover different aspects, such as the importance of good dental implants oral hygiene and how to maintain your dental implants for optimal performance.
The Importance of Dental Implants Maintenance
Dental implants need more than just passing consideration when it comes to care. Proper maintenance can extend their lifespan while protecting you from conditions like peri-implantitis, the equivalent of gum disease for implants.
Peri-implantitis causes inflammation, pain, sensitivity, or even implant loss. By following these tips for dental implant care, you can ensure both the integrity of your implants and safeguarding your oral health.
Also, dental implant care involves using a unique treatment approach for your overdentures. Daily brushing of their underside, overnight soaking in an approved cleaner and regular inspections to detect wear are all vital steps for keeping an overdenture healthy and in place.
Switch to Soft Bristled Toothbrushes
Hard bristle toothbrushes can cause irreparable damage to both natural teeth and dental implants. Choosing soft nylon brushes is the better choice to gently clean implants without harming them.
Opt for Low-Abrasive Toothpaste
Regular toothpaste may be too abrasive and wear down the enamel of your implants, requiring extra cleaning efforts while potentially harming them in return. A specialist low-abrasive paste specifically tailored for implants will clean them more thoroughly without damaging them or adjacent structures.
Make Daily Flossing a Priority
Plaque accumulation around dental implants makes flossing all the more essential, as a build-up of bacteria may easily form between your implants and teeth can accumulate quickly. Utilize implant-specific floss or unwaxed tape for dental implant cleaning. They offer the best results and thoroughly clean your implants and teeth.
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Maintain Consistent Oral Hygiene
Keep brushing twice daily using non-abrasive products, which are gentle on implants. Soft-bristled toothbrushes, non-alcoholic mouthwash and implant-specific floss help to maintain long-term implant health.
Consider Your Diet
Be mindful when eating hard, hot, or sticky foods which could damage implants or cause plaque buildup. Foods such as hard candies, ice cream and crusty bread can wreak havoc with them. To avoid unnecessary risks to your implants, take caution before eating such items.
Tread Lightly on Alcohol
Alcohol’s high sugar content can accumulate plaque and hinder post-implant surgery healing. Avoid alcohol consumption for at least six months after your dental implant procedure.
Break Your Smoking Habit
Smoking risks your overall health, can delay healing times, and erode gums surrounding implants, thus diminishing their long-term success. Consider giving up smoking to ensure your implants’ lasting success.
Plan Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental check-ups are vital in maintaining and caring for dental implant health. Regular appointments allow dentists to identify potential issues early and provide timely intervention to avoid complications.
Protect Against Teeth Grinding
Consider wearing a custom mouthguard if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding). A mouthguard can protect both natural and implanted teeth from the pressure exerted during teeth-grinding sessions, which could otherwise lead to irreparable damage. Accidents can happen, and safeguarding your implants is a proactive step to ensure their durability.
Related Article: How to Keep Good Dental Hygiene After Dental Implants
Partner with Marketplace Dentistry
Caring for dental implants is an investment in your oral health and well-being. By following the tips we discuss in this article, you can enjoy the benefits of your dental implants for years.
At Marketplace Dentistry, we provide comprehensive dental implant solutions backed by experience and expertise. Committed to your oral health, our team strives to ensure that each implant receives the required care.
If you want more information about how we can support you on this journey towards radiant smiles for life, reach us now at 647-846-7555.