How to care for dental implants

Posted on: 12 July 2019

Dental implants act as a replacement for missing natural teeth. They are robust, durable and have a similar appearance to natural teeth. However, despite their benefits, dental implants require proper care. Some tips for caring for dental implants include:

Brushing daily

While dental implants have a strong resistance to cavities and gum disease, the natural teeth around them are vulnerable. To prevent the risk of decay, you should always brush using fluoride toothpaste. You should brush at least twice a day, especially after eating. Brushing will prevent the buildup of plaque. While plaque may not damage your implants, they can stick to them and damage your adjacent natural teeth and your gums.

Also, you should purchase the right type of toothbrush for your dental implants. An inter-dental toothbrush, for instance, can clean around orthodontic appliances such as bridges and braces. You can also use an electric toothbrush if recommended by your dentist or a manual toothbrush with the right bristles.

Flossing

Even if you have one implant or two, this is not an excuse to skip flossing. Your teeth and gums require proper care to prevent the failure of dental implants. One cause of dental failure is the presence of gum disease. If you want your dental implants to graft successfully with the bone, you should brush and floss daily. Flossing removes the food particles stuck between where the implant and the gum meets.

Rinsing and night guards

Aside from brushing and flossing, you should also rinse your mouth after eating. You can use a mixture of hot water and salt, especially in the first week after implantation. The mix should, however, not be too hot that it burns your mouth. A fluoride mouthwash is also suitable for maintaining oral hygiene. It prevents the decay of natural teeth adjacent to the implants and helps promote healthy gums.

Patients who grind their teeth should invest in night guards. Night guards will help prevent any bone loss caused by teeth grinding.

Professional cleaning and dental checkups

It is essential to have your dental implants cleaned by a professional. Professional cleaning involves cleaning the thread of the implant, adjacent tissue and natural teeth. This cleaning prevents the occurrence of infection by removing any present bacteria. Your dentist will most probably use the scaling method, which cleans the surface of the teeth and removes any plaque buildup.

The dentist can also check the progress of your implant, its condition and its alignment.

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