Dental implants require a significant financial investment, and so understandably, patients want to ensure that they keep their new smile healthy and looking great for as long as possible. In fact, your motivation to take care of your implant and other teeth will be something that your dental implant surgeon will discuss with you at your consultation as they will want to be satisfied that you are prepared to make the commitment to taking care of your restoration before you can be approved as a candidate for treatment. With the proper care and attention, your dental implants could last as long as 25 years.
Here are our top tips for keeping your dental implants healthy so that you can enjoy a fully functioning and attractive smile for as long as possible.
It is one of the most obvious aspects of taking care of our teeth, but many patients think that since the visible part of the implant is artificial and cannot decay, they don’t have to pay close attention to brushing any replaced teeth. This is far from the case. Bacteria can still build on the implants and whilst they might not be able to cause decay, they can cause plaque which looks unsightly and can spread onto the gum tissue, triggering the start of gum disease. Gum disease is a huge threat to the longevity of dental implants because left untreated, it can deteriorate the jawbone, enabling the implant to come loose.
Flossing also remains a crucial part of your oral hygiene routine and should continue after you have implants. However, rather than conventional floss which can be tricky to use and can be a little abrasive against the porcelain crown, many dentists recommend that patients use water flossers. These clever devices emit high-powered jets of water that are robust enough to push out debris and bacteria from between the teeth before they can cause plaque and gum disease. When you choose a water flosser, use this before brushing as otherwise, it can rinse away all of the valuable fluoride contained in your toothpaste.
Many people think that the harder you brush your teeth, the cleaner they will be. Sadly, brushing hard or using a hard-bristled brush can actually cause more harm than good. This is because harder bristles can be abrasive and actually damage the porcelain crown and your gum tissue. Choose an electric style where you can as these have been shown to be more effective than manual brushes thanks to the speed with which they rotate.
Similarly, it is important that you choose the right toothpaste to clean your teeth. You may think that abrasive toothpaste may be more effective, but again, they can cause unnecessary damage to your teeth, such as removing the glaze or causing wear and tear. There are some toothpaste that are made specifically for use on dental implants so choose one of these if you can.
In some instances, bacteria and plaque could accumulate around or under the base of the crown, putting you at risk of experiencing problems. Your dentist will be able to share with you the best brushing techniques to avoid this happening and to ensure that your teeth are as clean as they can be.
Your dentist is your partner in your oral care and if you visit regularly, they will be able to monitor the health and condition of your implants. They can also give you any further advice you might need to keep them in tip-top condition.
If you have questions about how to keep your dental implants healthy, please feel free to contact us at (424) 404-6400. We look forward to hearing from you!