How to Take Care of Dental Implants
Dental implants have become one of the most commonly and highly recommended methods for replacing missing teeth because, once in place, they’re the most comfortable and natural-feeling type of replacement. Dental implant success depends greatly on good oral hygiene before, during, and after placement. Caring for your dental implants properly will ensure they can last you a lifetime.
Why It’s Important to Take Good Care of Your Dental Implants
As with natural teeth, preventing gum infection (periodontal disease) around the tooth is essential to its preservation. Excessive bacteria or an infection could lead to bone loss around your dental implant. Lost bone in the region of an implant can reverse the osseointegration (fusion to the jaw bone) of your dental implant, causing it to loosen and disconnect from the jaw bone.
The Proper Care and Maintenance of Dental Implants
Dental implants aren’t exactly the same as natural teeth; they’re on an artificial root and have a composite crown, but they’re the closest thing you can get to a natural tooth. Although they’re not natural teeth, they are designed to be a close replacement that are fairly simple to care for. As a result, taking care of your dental implants isn’t much different from caring for your regular teeth.
Regular Brushing and Flossing Are Essential
You should brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We also recommend using a minimally abrasive toothpaste. (Dr. Michels can provide you with a few recommendations.) When you brush, be sure to brush under and around your implant’s crown. Holding your toothbrush so its bristles are at a 45-degree angle to your gums will help you get into hard-to-reach places.
You should also floss at least twice daily. We recommend using floss designed specifically for dental implants. We’ll provide you with a few recommendations and will show you how best to floss around your dental implant.
To keep bacteria at bay, feel free to add an antibacterial mouth rinse to your daily routine, as well.
Maintain Regular Appointments for Dental Exams and Cleaning
Dental implants gather plaque, calculus, and tartar just like your natural, enamel-covered teeth. Regularly scheduled professional cleanings are essential to the maintenance of your dental implants, in addition to your natural teeth. During your appointment, our dental hygienist might use special tools to clean around your dental implant.
What to Do When Regular Brushing and Flossing Aren’t Enough
If you’re having a difficult time keeping your dental implant adequately clean, we can provide you with a nylon-coated interdental brush and special wax-free dental tape that will help you keep your dental implant and surrounding gums squeaky clean. We might also recommend using a special oral irrigator (water flosser). These tools are a great investment to make toward the preservation of your dental implant, as the water floss can reach places regular floss can’t.
If you have additional questions about your dental implants, we welcome you to contact Cardinal Dental in La Mesa today!
