Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular solutions for people who have lost one or more teeth. They are artificial tooth roots (usually made from titanium) inserted into the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.
While dental implants are a great way to restore the appearance and function of your smile, they do require some special care. In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips for how to care for dental implants and the importance of this maintenance.
- Brush and floss regularly
Just like with natural teeth, it’s important to brush your dental implants at least twice a day and floss once a day. This helps to remove any plaque and bacteria that can accumulate around the implant and cause gum disease or an infection. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the implant.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
In addition to brushing and flossing, you may want to use an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep your implants clean. Look for a mouthwash that is specifically designed for use with dental implants, as some regular mouthwashes may contain alcohol or other ingredients that can damage the implant or irritate your gums.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods
While dental implants are durable, they can still be damaged by hard or sticky foods. Avoid biting down on anything too hard, such as ice or hard sweets, and stay away from sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum.
- Don’t smoke
Smoking can have a negative impact on your oral health in general (gum disease, tooth loss, complications after tooth removal etc), but when it comes to dental implants, there are other factors to consider as well. In addition to staining the implant, smoking can also weaken the bone structure around the implant, increasing the risk of implant failure. If you’re a smoker, it’s best to quit before getting dental implants or at least cut back as much as possible.
- See your dentist regularly
Regular check-ups with your dentist are essential for maintaining the health of your dental implants. Your dentist will be able to check the implant and surrounding gums for any signs of infection or other issues and can recommend any necessary treatments to prevent further damage.
- Be gentle with your implants
Avoid chewing on hard objects like pens or your fingernails, as this can cause damage to the implant. And if you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a night guard to protect your implants from wear and tear.
Why it’s important to look after your dental implants
It’s very important to maintain a good care routine with your dental implants because failure to do so may result in any of the below occurring:
- You experience the same oral health issues that you did with your natural teeth – Implant care is much like caring for natural teeth, so if you don’t look after them properly, this can also lead to issues like gum disease, bleeding, soreness and general discomfort.
- They may not last as long – How well you take care of your implants will have a direct effect on how long they last. If you don’t take care of your implants, the likelihood is that they will need to be replaced much sooner, which isn’t cost-effective and is more wasteful. Much like natural teeth, dental implants will last for as long as you care for them, so there’s no reason why they can’t last for years to come.
- It could cause damage to the surrounding teeth – If you do develop oral health issues due to poor care of your dental implants, this may affect the otherwise healthy teeth around them. For example, if you develop a gum infection around your implant, this could spread to your other teeth, causing further tooth loss and the need for more implants.
All of these issues are why taking good care of your dental implants is incredibly important. If you’re considering getting all-on-4 dental implants, contact us at 029 2267 9999 to book a free consultation. We’re happy to advise you on aftercare to ensure your dental implants continue to function as well as possible for years to come.
