Are you thinking about getting dental implants? If so, you have a lot to look forward to! Not only will dental implants provide you with a strong bite and beautiful grin, but they’re also easy to care for. Let’s talk about some of the keys to proper dental implant maintenance in Ormond Beach so you can help your restored smile to stand the test of time.
Daily Oral Hygiene
Dental implants in Ormond don’t develop cavities like natural teeth might. However, that doesn’t make them exempt from the need for thorough daily cleanings. Fighting plaque and bacteria buildup keeps your risk of infection to a minimum. You should:
- Brush your implant restorations twice a day (just like you would your natural teeth!).
- Floss between the artificial teeth and beneath them if possible.
- Pay special attention to tending to the implant abutments (which connect the implants to the artificial teeth). Gently Brush and floss in the area, and use an antibacterial mouth rinse at least once a day.
Professional Dental Cleanings and Checkups
If you have dental implants, routine visits to your dentist in Ormond Beach are vital. At these regular appointments, your hygienist will thoroughly clean your mouth. For some patients, this requires that your restorations be removed so the area around the abutments can receive a bit of extra attention.
Your dentist will also examine the implants, your gums, and your restorations to make sure there are no signs of trouble. If it turns out that you have early signs of gum disease or that an infection has sneaked into the area around the implants, you may be able to get these issues taken care of before they become severe.
Other Precautions to Protect Your Implants
Here are a few more things you can do to maintain your new smile:
- Don’t smoke. Tobacco can stain your restorations and increase the risk of infection.
- Be gentle with your teeth. Dental implants can stand up to pretty much any food. However, they may suffer damage if you chew on ice, use your new teeth to open packages, or accidentally bite an unpopped popcorn kernel.
- Don’t grind your teeth. The continual pressure of bruxism (teeth grinding) can damage your implants. If you struggle with this habit, you may need TMJ therapy, bit of stress relief, or other treatments.
The Bottom Line on Dental Implant Maintenance
You might have noticed that much of the above advice is equally applicable to natural teeth as it is to dental implants. That’s because implants are designed to look and function just like natural pearly whites from root to crown. Therefore, the most important thing to keep in mind when you’re looking after your implants is that if you wouldn’t do it to your natural teeth, don’t do it to your implants. If you would do it to care for your natural teeth, it’s probably a good idea for your implants as well.
Are you still eager to learn more about dental implants and how to maintain them? Get in touch with a local implant dentist who can answer all of your questions and get you on the road to owning a beautiful, strong, and complete smile.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Nawrocki is a prosthodontist and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He has helped many patients to reverse their tooth loss with dental implants. To learn how Dr. Nawrocki and the rest of our team can help you gain a new smile, contact us at 386-677-1046.