Maintaining Your Dental Implants: Long-Term Care Strategies

If you are like most people with dental implants, you love your new smile and want it to last forever. Sometimes, though, dental implants don’t last as long as they should. Fortunately, dental implants can last a lifetime, especially if you take good care of them.  

A dental implant is a metal post that your dentist surgically places in your jawbone. Over the course of a few weeks, your jawbone fuses with the metal post that serves as a sturdy anchor for the artificial crown. Together, the dental implant and artificial crown look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. With good dental implant care, your dental implant is designed to last a lifetime.

You’ll be glad to know that maintaining your dental implants is pretty easy – it involves just a couple of simple lifestyle changes that don’t take much time or cost much money.

Dentist in Flower Mound Offers Patient Care Tips for Maintaining Your Dental Implants for a Lifetime of Great Smiles

Step up your oral hygiene game

Oral hygiene is important for everyone, of course, but especially so for people with dental implants.  

Whether you have natural teeth, dental implants, or implant-supported dentures, your mouth still carries out biological functions, such as eating, drinking, and producing saliva. These normal functions create deposits that bacteria love to eat. As they feed, bacteria create acid that can cause tooth decay and cavities. Bacteria can also cause gum disease.

• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush; use a non-abrasive tartar control toothpaste

• Brush under and around the dental crown, where bacteria and plaque tend to accumulate; look for an angled toothbrush or interdental brush with a slim head, especially if your dental implant is towards the back of your mouth

• Floss gently once a day with unwaxed tape or dental floss made specifically for use on dental implants

Avoid certain cleansers that can damage your dental implants

The abrasive action of hard-bristled toothbrushes, strong cleansers, and baking soda can damage the artificial crown.

Abstain from smoking

Smoking slows your body’s natural healing process, so it can make it harder for your body to recover from dental implant surgery. Smoking can also increase your risk of implant failure.  

Be mindful of what you bite

One of the best things about dental implants is that they provide the same bite force as your natural teeth. This means you can bite down on your dental implant with confidence.

However, you can break your dental crown by chewing or biting down on particularly hard substances. Don’t use your dental implants to chew on ice, pencils or pens, or your fingernails, open use them to cans or rip into plastic.

Follow your dentist’s instructions closely

Whether you have just received your dental implant or you have had it for a while, follow any instructions your dentist may have provided to you. Your dentist can offer personalized instructions to help you extend the longevity of your dental implants.  

Visit your dentist regularly

Regular checkups and cleanings give your dentist an opportunity to confirm that your dental implants are working properly and that you are taking care of them well. Our dentist can also look for early signs of tooth or gum disease, as early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid chronic problems with your dental implants.  

For more strategies and tips on dental implant maintenance, consult with The Dental Studio. Getting dental implants in Flower Mound has never been faster or easier. Connect with The Dental Studio today for dental implants that keep your smile looking its best for a lifetime!

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