Dental Implant Maintenance
Florence, AL
 Dental implants are arguably among the most popular dental procedures for tooth replacement. These prosthetic teeth mimic natural teeth, making them less conspicuous. They can restore your radiant smile and enhance your facial appearance, boosting your self-confidence. Most importantly, they are more resistant to decay and discoloration than natural teeth. However, dental implants need regular maintenance to extend their longevity.
Without proper dental care, you may have to replace your dental implants prematurely. Our dentists at Singing River Dentistry will guide you through various dental implant maintenance tips to help you make the most of your new, artificial teeth. Below are just a few ways you extend the lifespan of your tooth implants.
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Brush Twice Daily
Dental implants are not much different from your natural teeth. The only difference is that they are prosthetic. They can still gather food particles and harbor plaque, just like natural teeth. As such, maintaining optimal dental hygiene is still critical to ensure optimal oral health.
Ensure you observe a proper oral care routine, including brushing twice daily after meals to maintain your new tooth implants. Invest in a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush all tooth surfaces with fluoride toothpaste for optimal results.
Floss Once Daily
Some people overlook the importance of flossing their teeth, perhaps because they do not know how to do it or are discouraged by its tedious nature.
This oral hygiene routine offers several benefits. It removes lodged particles from areas that a regular toothbrush cannot reach, including the gaps between the teeth and the gumline. Floss your dental implants at least once daily to ensure optimal oral health.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwashes or Irrigators
Your dental implants are equally susceptible to bacteria as natural teeth. Using an antibacterial mouth rinse or mouthwash can make a difference in combating these bacteria and decay-causing organisms.
Our dentists at Singing River Dentistry can recommend the appropriate mouthwash to use for dental implant maintenance. Adding mouthwash to your dental routine is a great bonus for your long-term oral health.
Quit or Limit Smoking
Smoking can be addictive and equally detrimental to oral health. While dental implants are relatively resistant to tooth discoloration and staining, the effects of tobacco products can extend to other natural teeth.
If you are a smoker, you can consult our dental health practitioners on the best program to help you quit smoking. Giving up on smoking not only means better healing and integration of your implants; it can also help ensure long-term results after the procedure.
Avoid Hot Drinks and Foods
Consuming hot beverages and foods immediately after a dental implant procedure can delay healing. It can also cause complications, increasing the likelihood of dental implant failure.
We always advise our patients to avoid hot drinks and foods until they recover fully. We also advise that you refrain from exceptionally hard foods that may loosen the implant post or crack the crown.
Consider Professional Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings can help remove stubborn plaque and tartar deposits from your prosthetic teeth or dental implants. This procedure involves cleaning the teeth, gums, and tongue to remove plaque and microorganisms that a regular brush cannot. It also curbs and treats symptoms associated with periodontitis.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Getting dental implants does not mean you should skip regular dental visits. Patients should ideally schedule a visit to the dentist for a regular exam at at least twice annually every six months.
A visit to Singing River Dentistry helps us monitor your progress and address any oral concerns before they escalate, ensuring optimal dental health. We will also provide you with complimentary dental implant maintenance tips to help you care for your artificial teeth.
Common FAQs About Dental Implant Maintenance
While dental implants remain a popular tooth replacement option, some patients might have pending questions about maintenance guidelines. Singing River Dentistry is ready to answer all your questions about dental implant maintenance. Here is a list of the most common questions and answers about dental implant maintenance:
Why Is Dental Implant Maintenance Important?
Dental implants are prone to bacteria, just like your natural teeth. While they are somewhat resistant to cavities, failures can occur if you do not observe good dental care. Harmful bacteria can infect the surrounding gum tissue, resulting in bone loss or even gum disease.
Optimal dental implant maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your prosthetic tooth. Your dental implants can last for 25 to 30 years or even a lifetime if you adhere to proper maintenance guidelines as recommended by our dental practitioners.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
As stated, dental implants can last a lifetime. However, the lifespan of your dental implants hinges on good dental care and proper maintenance practices. The dental crown on your implant is susceptible to wear and tear and might last for 25 years or more, based on how you care for it. You can ensure the resilience of your dental implants by following our maintenance guidelines.
What Happens if I Do Not Maintain My Dental Implants?
Not maintaining your dental implants can have adverse effects on your oral health.
You might develop oral infections or dental calculus. In severe cases, your implants might fail, warranting a replacement. Poor dental maintenance can also result in bleeding gums, bone loss, and tooth loss. Proper dental implant maintenance is critical to preventing premature tooth replacement and peri-implantitis.
Can Brushing and Flossing Damage My Dental Implants?
Regular brushing and flossing cannot damage your dental implants. Proper dental hygiene is vital to ensuring the longevity of your tooth implants. You can brush or floss your dental implants like any other natural teeth, ensuring optimal oral health. Just make sure that you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush and implant-friendly floss. You can also use mouthwashes to kill harmful oral bacteria. However, you may have to wait for 24 hours before resuming your regular oral routine after a dental implant procedure.
Maintain Your Smile With Proper Dental Implant Maintenance
Dental implants can restore your radiant smile and improve your overall oral health. They are less conspicuous and help replace missing teeth. However, they need regular maintenance to extend their lifespan.
Schedule With Your Florence, AL Dentist Today!
Contact Singing River Dentistry at 256-712-3549 for personalized dental implant maintenance tips. We will first examine your teeth to determine your oral health before we recommend a suitable routine. Whether you got your implants from us or elsewhere, our resident dentists are ready to teach you more oral hygiene tips to help you maintain and care for your dental implants.
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