Maintaining the health of your teeth implants is an important part of keeping your smile looking bright and beautiful. Proper care for your teeth implants can help ensure they last a long time, but it’s also important to choose the right provider when considering getting teeth implants. Our team at Ideal Dental Solutions can provide you with quality dental services, so if you are ready for the perfect smile then read on to learn about how to best care for your teeth implants!
What are Teeth Implants?
Teeth implants are artificial teeth, made from metal and porcelain, that are placed in the jawbone to permanently replace missing or damaged teeth. The implants act as a secure foundation for the artificial teeth making them look and feel like your teeth. They can last up to 10 years with proper care!
The Importance of Caring for Teeth Implants
A tooth implant is a major investment and it’s important to take care of them to ensure that you get the best out of your procedure. Failing to care for your teeth implants can lead to a range of issues. These include:
- Plaque build-up, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
- Loose implants which can cause pain or discomfort when eating.
- Infection in the gums or underlying bone structure that could damage the dental implant itself.
How to Care for Your Teeth Implants
Caring for your teeth implants is a crucial part of maintaining good oral health. Taking proper care of them will not only help keep them looking their best but also ensure that they last longer. Here are a few things you should do to care for your teeth implants!
Avoid Abrasive Toothpastes
To avoid damaging your implants, it is important to use a toothpaste that is low in abrasiveness. Regular toothpaste can be too rough and wear down the enamel and the implants. Look for a toothpaste specially designed for this purpose.
Floss Daily
It’s important to floss every day, as this will help remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Make sure you use a floss specifically designed for implants as regular floss can be too abrasive and cause damage.
Use a Toothbrush with Soft Bristles
Using hard-bristled toothbrushes can harm your teeth’s enamel and are especially harmful to dental implants. Scratches caused by hard bristles can cause permanent damage to the implant’s surface. Therefore, it’s crucial to only use soft-bristled toothbrushes after getting dental implants. It’s recommended to use a soft nylon brush with gentle and flexible bristles that won’t cause damage to your implants.
Avoid Sticky, Extremely Hot and Hard Foods
Sticky and hard foods can damage your implants and make them more vulnerable to infection. It’s also important to avoid extremely hot drinks like tea or coffee, as the heat may cause the metal of the implant to expand, causing it to loosen from its bond with the bone.
Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
It’s recommended to avoid alcohol after dental implant surgery because it can slow down the healing process and increase plaque buildup. The high sugar content in alcohol can cause tooth decay in natural teeth and potentially harm dental implants. It’s advised to abstain from consuming alcohol for a minimum of six months following the procedure.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
To ensure the longevity of your dental implants, it’s important to brush twice daily using non-abrasive products such as a soft-bristled toothbrush, sensitive toothpaste, non-alcoholic mouthwash, and implant-specific floss. Another important tip to keep in mind when you begin to care for your teeth implants is to avoid using baking soda, bleach, or chlorine cleansers as they may harm your implants permanently. Moreover, strongly flavored products like mint or cinnamon should also be avoided as they may cause discomfort.
Quit Smoking
Smoking cigarettes can lead to gum disease and other serious oral health problems and should be avoided when caring for your implants. Smoking can also slow down the healing process, making it difficult for the implant to bond with the surrounding bone tissue. If you’re a smoker, it’s important that you quit in order to keep your implants healthy.
Get a Mouthguard for Teeth Grinding
If you suffer from teeth grinding, it’s important to wear a mouthguard when you sleep. Teeth grinding can lead to chips and fractures in your implants, so having a mouthguard is an effective way to prevent this from happening. Furthermore, added protection of a mouthguard can also help reduce jaw pain caused by clenching and grinding your teeth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
It is essential to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. This will help ensure that any potential problems with your implants are spotted early, giving you the best chance of preventing any further damage or decay. Your dentist can also give you advice on the best way to care for your implants and answer any questions you may have about their upkeep.
Overdentures Require Specific Care
If you have overdentures, it’s important to take special care of them. These should be removed and cleaned every day to avoid debris from building up on the implant site. Some other things you should do to care for them include
- Make sure to vist your dentist at least 2 to 4 times a year
- Make sure to brush the underside of the denture/ implant with a soft bristled brush
- Inspect any o-rings, caps, and clips daily for signs of wear
- Soak your dentures in a specific cleaner overnight
Care For Your Teeth Implants with the Help of Ideal Dental Solutions
If you are considering getting teeth implants to improve your oral health, it is important to know the best way to care for these dental implants. After all, caring for your teeth implants will be an integral part of maintaining your newfound smile, so understanding the right steps to take is essential. Ideal Dental Solutions offers quality care and expertise when it comes to teeth implant procedures, so you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands. Contact us today for more information about teeth implants with Ideal Dental Solutions!
