Dental Implant Care: Essential Tips for Long-Lasting Implants
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While tooth loss is a common dental problem today, modern medical solutions allow dealing with it flawlessly. Even if you lose teeth because of a disease or after an accident, you can regain your perfect smile with the help of dental implants. This leads to learning the importance of dental implant care, as you will need to maintain your oral hygiene properly after getting implants. This is not a difficult task, although a crucial one if you want your teeth implants to serve you for many years to come. In this article, you will learn how to care for dental implants properly and maintain your dental health.
Why Proper Care for Dental Implants is Crucial
Caring for dental implants is as important as caring for your natural teeth. Installing dental implants does not mean they will not deteriorate or cause any issues like your natural teeth would. Improper care might lead to a decrease in the longevity of your dental implants. In addition, certain health issues might occur with the implants just like with real teeth.
Daily Dental Implant Care Routine
Learning how to take care of dental implants is crucial if you have at least one implant. This is not much different from caring for your teeth, although there are some techniques and recommendations.
Brushing Techniques for Dental Implants
First and foremost, it is important to use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the surface of your implants. Then, you can brush them normally, although pay attention to cleaning the gum line too. Use the toothbrush to clean any debris from the gum line and stroke downwards to remove the debris from your gums. Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential for maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Flossing
Implant maintenance also includes flossing as food particles and plaque can accumulate around your implants easily. It is essential to floss daily to take proper care of your dental implants. There are specialized types of flosses suitable for implants. You can also ask your dentist for assistance in choosing the most fitting and comfortable floss for you. It is advised to floss at least once a day.
Mouthwash and Rinsing
It is essential to rinse your mouth after each meal for proper dental implant maintenance. To do so, you can use a mouthwash fitting for dental implants. There are specific mouthwashes designed not to deteriorate implants. Make sure that it is non-alcoholic as well. Just swish it around your mouth for thirty seconds before spitting it out.
Professional Maintenance for Dental Implants
Dental implant care and maintenance also involve professional attention. It is crucial to visit your dentist regularly to care for the implants properly.
Regular Check-ups
Everyone has to visit their dentist regularly to care for oral health and prevent many different issues. For patients with teeth implants, it is recommended to visit their dentist every six months. Even if you are not having any trouble with your teeth, these regular checkups will ensure everything is in order.
Professional Cleanings
Taking care of dental implants can also include professional teeth cleaning. It is generally advised for everyone to do a professional cleaning twice a year. It becomes especially important to maintain good oral hygiene if you have teeth implants. Follow your dentist’s recommendations if more cleanings are necessary.
Signs of Potential Issues
It is essential to care for your implants properly and monitor your health as some issues might arise after installing implants. They might become loose or some patients can experience peri-implantitis among other issues. Here are some symptoms to be aware of:
- Severe pain. While it is normal to experience some pain after the procedure, it is usually bearable and can be treated with painkillers. If you continue experiencing piercing pain even a few days after implant installation, this is not normal.
- Gum recession. You can experience gum recession if the implant is not installed properly or your gums and bone cannot hold it properly. If you see that the implant is very long and the gums around are drawn back, it is crucial to check in with the dentist.
- Loose implants. The implants need to stay in place. If your implants are shifting or moving, they might be not secured properly, and it is crucial to do a checkup.
- Difficulties while eating. With dental implants, you should not experience any difficulties or discomfort while chewing your food. They should work like normal teeth, and if you feel pain or the implants keep shifting, it is necessary to check on them.
If you experience any issues mentioned above or other difficulties with your implants, make sure to see your dentist.
Dental Implants Care: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Following implant care instructions is essential if you want to enjoy your implants for a long time.
Neglecting Regular Care
Neglecting proper dental and oral care is bad for your natural teeth as well. You should brush your teeth and floss every day, as well as schedule appointments with the dentist every six months. Sometimes, more appointments will be needed if you have certain issues.
Using the Wrong Products
While taking care of your implants is not difficult, it is advised to use the right products. Make sure to buy a soft toothbrush and use special floss and mouthwash compatible with the teeth implants. They will clean your implants properly without dealing any damage. Special toothpastes also exist to care for implants and teeth.
Dental implants are a great solution if you happen to lose any of your teeth. They can grant you a perfect smile and serve you diligently for years to come. Of course, you will need to care of them properly if you want to enjoy your implants and avoid various conditions and diseases. Your dentist will be glad to help you with maintaining your dental health.
Caring for Dental Implants: the Most Common Questions
Can food get under dental implants?
While there is a possibility that food particles can get stuck under your tooth implant, this does not mean that it is normal. If you feel like food gets stuck under your implant, you should check in with your dentist to see if the implant is properly placed.
Do you have to brush implants?
Yes, it is crucial to brush your dental implants. Tooth implant care is essentially the same as caring for your natural teeth. This includes brushing, flossing, using a mouthwash, etc.
Is toothpaste safe for implants?
If you have been wondering how to clean teeth implants, you can simply use normal toothpaste. However, make sure to purchase low-abrasive toothpaste as the opposite option is damaging for both implants and your teeth. Use nice quality toothpaste that you would use normally.
How regularly should I see the dentist after having dental implants placed?
It is recommended to have dentist appointments at least twice a year. This does not include additional appointments in case of having some other dental issues. However, with proper oral hygiene and dental care you should be good seeing your dentist once every six months.
Additional Resources
Check out these articles for more tips on how to care for your dental implants:
https://www.bloorwestsmiles.com/blog/9-best-ways-to-care-for-your-dental-implants/
