- Tips for optimal dental implant maintenance
- What can happen if I do not practice good dental implant care?
- Are dental implants right for me?
Few things feel as natural as sharing a beautiful smile with the world. Thanks to innovations such as dental implants, people who have had teeth extracted or accidentally knocked out can smile with as much confidence as someone with a complete set of all-natural teeth.
However, good dental implant care is critical to maintaining a gorgeous smile and good oral health. Implant care starts as soon as you leave your dentist’s office.
Tip for optimal dental implant maintenance
Dental implants need as much care as regular teeth. However, you may need to make minor changes to your dental care routine and everyday lifestyle to help your implants look great and bite and chew as efficiently as your natural teeth.
1. Switch to a soft -bristled toothbrush
If you are not already using a soft bristled toothbrush, you might want to switch to one. Hard-bristle toothbrushes can be abrasive and scratch the surface of your implants, affecting their appearance.
Soft-bristled toothbrushes have pliable bristles that are gentle on your implants as well as your natural teeth. Use them twice a day to keep your implants, teeth, and gumline clean.
2. Floss once per day
Flossing should already be part of your daily oral maintenance routine to remove bad breath-causing plaque from below the gum line. Plaque can erode tooth enamel, develop into tartar, and lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
With dental implants, flossing every day becomes even more important. Plaque can quickly accumulate around your implants, just as it can your regular teeth. If necessary, your dentist can recommend special floss for dental implants to keep the area around them clean and protect you from disease.
3. Quit smoking
Although quitting tobacco and other substances is a good idea to protect your overall health and well-being, smoking and dental implants do not go well together in particular. Dental implants can take as long as six months to heal, and smoking can hurt your oral health while you are on the mend.
4. Visit your dentist for a post-op checkup
Depending on your situation, your dentist might require a post-op follow-up to ensure everything is healing nicely and that your dental implant performs as expected.
However, even if you do not require an extra follow-up appointment, see your dentist regularly, at least twice per year, to ensure your teeth and implants give you a lifetime of beautiful smiles!
What can happen if I do not practice good dental implant care?
Without consistent daily care, serious issues can develop with dental implants. The first sign of a potential problem with your implants is bleeding, a condition known as mucositis. If this occurs, see your dentist right away, as this usually can be successfully treated if caught early.
However, untreated mucositis can lead to bone loss (peri-implantitis). Peri-implantitis, if not addressed, can advance to the point that your implant becomes loose or falls out.
Following the above four tips will help you avoid these issues and protect your oral health.
Are dental implants right for me?
Getting dental implants is a big step to replacing missing teeth before the empty space left causes your other teeth to shift, reducing your ability to bite and chew efficiently. However, other options, such as dental bridges and dentures, can also replace missing teeth. It is important to choose a dental solution that works best for you and your lifestyle.
When you have questions about replacing missing teeth, call Yonge Eglinton Dental. Our professional team of dentists will sit with you to discuss your needs, go over the available options, and answer all of your questions so you can make an informed decision.
We’re not just your neighbourhood dental office – we are partners in every aspect of your oral health, helping you have a bright, confident smile you’ll be proud of!
Learn more about dental implant care from the experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental in Toronto
Wondering which dental procedures will give you the bright, beautiful smile you deserve? Talk to the dental professionals at Yonge Eglinton Dental. We focus on making sure your teeth not only look great but are also as strong and healthy as possible. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online. We look forward to seeing you!
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