Have you recently had dental implants placed? Are you happy with your newly restored smile? Patients who choose this method of tooth replacement often find the benefits are overwhelming worth the cost of the procedure, but in order for this investment to be worth it, you must take proper care of your new restorations. To help you maintain a longer-lasting, complete smile, here are 5 dental implant maintenance tips you should follow.
Regularly Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Yes, it’s true. Your dental implants cannot decay, but that doesn’t mean you should slack off on your regular oral hygiene routine. Your other natural teeth are still vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease, which is why it’s important to regularly brush and floss your teeth. Each morning and every night before you go to bed, you should brush your teeth for a full two minutes. You should also be sure to floss at least once a day, if not more, to remove bacteria and food particles that can become trapped between your teeth.
If bacteria is left to grow in the crevices of your mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene, you will begin to notice other teeth becoming loose over time. This will result in missing teeth and the additional need for more dental implants.
Keep Your Dentist Appointments
Every six months, you should make an appointment to see your dentist. Better yet, before you leave one appointment, make sure to have the dental staff schedule your next one! Not only are these beneficial in that you can leave with a clean and refreshed smile, but it gives your dentist the opportunity to check your dental implants for any damage or problems.
Kick the Habit
Smoking and tobacco use are two of the quickest ways to ensure dental implant failure. When a patient smokes, the body has a much slower healing time. If the implant is unable to fuse to the bone, you can guarantee implant failure. However, if you decide to pick up smoking after having your implants placed, you can open yourself up to the potential for gum disease, staining, and negative effects on your overall health.
Avoid Hard Foods
In general, dental implants do not require you to alter your food consumption; however, hard foods and candies can be problematic for these tooth replacements. Items such as ice and hard candies can put increased pressure on your teeth when biting down, and you might accidentally break or chip your custom implant restoration. If at all possible, avoid or limit hard foods from your diet.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
Just like hard foods should be avoided, so should sugar. We know it’s difficult, and for some, it might be entirely impossible to limit or eliminate sugar but be aware of the amount your ingesting. Sugar is great for bacteria to breed. When foods and beverages with sugar in them are left on the teeth, it can lead to tooth decay and ultimately, cavities.
You want to make the most of your investment, right? Dental implants are one of the most effective and beneficial ways to replace missing teeth. Stick to these five tips, and you’ll be enjoying your new and improved smile for decades, if not a lifetime!
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our team of dental professionals and staff work together to provide all our patients with personalized and effective care. Whether it is a general cleaning, teeth whitening, or dental implants, we will help you achieve the smile you desire and deserve. To learn more about our services, contact us at (540) 432-6616.