Implants in the dental field are one of the greatest achievements of contemporary dentistry since they provide a permanent solution to losing teeth and can serve a person an entire lifetime with appropriate care.
Nonetheless, most patients expect that when their implants are in place then they hardly need any care. This misconception may result in such complications which could be avoided otherwise.
Learning the correct care of your dental implants is basic as far as your dental health and lifespan of your implants are concerned.
The Knowledge you Need about Your Dental Implants
Before getting deep into the areas of maintenance strategies, it is worthwhile knowing what dental implants are and the way they work.
Implants do not grow like natural teeth; they are titanium posts which are attached in the jaw with the help of surgically fixing them into the jaws; the tops of these implants are fitted with crowns that look like natural teeth.
Although they do not decay as their natural counterparts, they can easily be affected by gum diseases and other complications when not well taken care of.
1. Learn how to Brush Properly
Implant care starts by making brushing efficient. Clean the implants using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, every twice-daily.
Apply your attention to the gum line, a place where bacteria collects, and apply light circles instead of intensive back and forth scrubbing.
Important tips of brushing:
- Brush two minutes and up every session
- Clean and replace your toothbrush on a three-month basis
- You could learn to clean your teeth with the help of an electric toothbrush less haphazardly
- Focus more attention on the place where the implant and the gum meet
2. Flossing: Your Implants Best Friend
Even in case of implantation, flossing is needed each day.
The normal dental floss actually does a good job but it is advisable to use floss that is specific to the implants or water flossers that will clean around the implant posts more.
It is aimed at cleaning plaque off and food debris whose reach is inaccessible to brushing.
3. Use of Antibacterial Mouthwash
To further support your oral hygiene, try LivFresh toothpaste, which is specially formulated to keep implants and natural teeth exceptionally clean and fresh.
Also, take an antibacterial mouthwash to minimize the quantity of bad germs in your mouth. Seek alcohol-free varieties to prevent irritation of sensitive gum tissue around the implants.
4. Get Regular Professional Cleaning Done
Regular professional dental cleanings (every 6 months or more often, as your dentist may suggest) are vital to the implant maintenance.
Your dentist hygienist will take special equipment to clean the places you cannot reach at home and check the state of your implants and their environs.
5. Abandon Cigarette and Smoking Habits
Smoking is a very big risk factor to implant failures and complications. Tobacco smoking complicates the healing process, worsens gum circulation, and exposes one to infection.
In case you are a smoker, stopping to smoke is one of the most significant things you could do to the success of your implant.
Dangers of smoking implants:
- Slow healing times during surgery
- Greater chances of peri-implantitis
- Increased risk of implant lapse
- Disrupted immune response
6. Avoid hard and sticky food
Although the implants are made to withstand normal chewing pressure, there are foods that may destroy the covering or even cause too much pressure to the implant.
Avoid chewing on Ice or hard candy or even opening packages with your teeth.
7. Treat Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Bruxism (teeth grinding) may exert too much pressure to the implants and may wear them out in the long run.
In case you grind your teeth, particularly at night, speak with your dentist about having a custom night guard made that would guard both your implants and natural teeth.
8. Get Routine Dental Check-ups
In addition to cleanings, routine dental check-ups will enable your dentist to check the state of your implants and diagnose any issues on time.
Periodic X-rays could also be used to determine the status of the bone around the implant and to make sure that the integration has been normal.
9. Warning Signs Watch Out
There are symptoms you should be alert to that could be signs of wear on the implants:
Watch out signs:
- Constant pain or discomfort
- Edema at the site of implantation
- Adverse Bleeding upon brushing or flossing
- Moveable or movable implant
- The alteration of bite positioning
10. Pay Attention to Post-Surgical Instructions
Without exception, after an implant procedure, recovery depends on the advice of your dentist.
This incorporates using the recommended drugs, shunning some foods, as well as observing regular checkup as directed.
The Long-run View
Correct care of the implant will pay off to your future oral condition.
Although during the first adaptation period you might need to pay somewhat more attention to your oral hygiene routine, the results of properly maintained implants are much more rewarding than the efforts you make to achieve them.
Given the proper care they can last you decades with your implants working as natural teeth.
Conclusion
Dental implant maintenance may seem a straightforward process because it is a necessary routine that requires commitment and compliance.
By employing these 10 important strategies, you will be building yourself up to succeed long term with your implants.
It is important to remember that each case of a patient is different, and you should always discuss your case with your dental specialist in order to create an individual care program that works best to suit your unique conditions.
The money you spend to care properly about implants nowadays will come back to you in terms of a healthy and functioning smile in the future.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
