Dental implants can provide substantial improvements to both the health and appearance of your smile. When you choose to have dental implants installed to your smile, you will need to ensure that you provide the appropriate care to keep them in good condition. Dental implants are durable, effective additions to your smile, but there are several things that you can do to keep them in good condition for an extended period of time. Here are a few of our suggestions for how to take care of dental implants.
Avoid Smoking and Drinking
When you smoke and drink on a regular basis, you may be causing a significant amount of damage to your teeth. After you have had dental implants installed, it will be important to ensure that you quit smoking and drinking, especially during the first 6 months. It generally takes about 6 months for the area to heal completely after the procedure. Smoking and drinking can cause complications and may even slow down the healing process.
Use a Water Flosser
A water flosser is a great strategy for removing foreign particles from between and around the teeth. Keeping the teeth as clean as possible is an important part of caring for your dental implants. When you add a water flosser to your regular routine, you will often be able to more easily clean the teeth.
Regular Dental Visits
Your dentist can provide you with valuable insight regarding the health of your teeth. It is essential to visit your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and examinations. In most scenarios, you will want to visit your dentist twice a year, but you may want to see them more often if recommended.
Soak Dentures Overnight
Dentures may require a slightly different process to care for than dental implants. When you use dentures, you will need to ensure that you are following the appropriate care procedures. Soak the dentures overnight in their designated solution. It is also important to carefully and thoroughly rinse the dentures before using them again.
Inspect Implants
When you take time to inspect your implants or dentures frequently, you will be able to identify damage when it occurs. This will often make it easier to have repairs made and prolong the lifetime of your implants.
Only Use Soft Bristles
In general, using soft bristled toothbrushes is best for your teeth. When you use a toothbrush with harder bristles, it is far more likely to scratch the surface of the teeth. This can cause enamel to wear down, which leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage. When you have dental implants, these harder bristles can cause damage to the implant.
Take Care of your Teeth
The ideal way to care for your dental implants is to take care of your teeth. These implants are designed to mimic the appearance and functionality of your natural teeth. It is essential to ensure that you floss your teeth thoroughly, as well as ensure that you brush them at least twice every day. This will go a long way toward keeping your implants in the best possible condition.
Consider Specific Floss
The tools that you use for flossing can have a big impact on how effective your flossing is. Crown and bridge floss can be a great solution if you have dental implants. This type of floss enables you to more easily reach the areas surrounding your dental implants or bridges.
Avoid Chewing on Hard Items
Hard items can easily cause damage to your teeth, especially when you chew on them. Avoid chewing on hard candy, ice, or other objects in order to keep your dental implants in good condition.
Don’t Use Abrasive Ingredients
Abrasive ingredients in the dental products that you use can cause damage to your dental implants. This is especially true when it comes to the toothpaste that you use. Check the ingredients of your toothpaste and choose an option without abrasive ingredients, such as baking soda or stain removal agents.
When you take appropriate care of your dental implants, you will often be able to extend their longevity as well as prevent additional damage to your smile. Our professionals at Hendersonville Family Dental can help to provide the ideal dental implant services, as well as help you to keep your dental implants in the best possible condition. For more information about the best way to care for your dental implants, contact us at Hendersonville Family Dental today!
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