How to Take Care of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a standard restorative option for people who have lost teeth or require tooth extractions. Implants have become the gold standard in tooth replacement. They are popular because they have a very high long-term success rate. Clinical studies indicate that dental implants provide a long-term success percentage of over 95%.

Learning how to care for your dental implants is essential in determining their lifespan. Practicing good dental hygiene may significantly increase your chances of having a successful implant for the rest of your life.

Why Dental Implant Care is Important

Implant care is crucial to how long the implants last and how well they heal. Here are some reasons why it’s important:

Preventing plaque build-up

Dental implants are similar to natural teeth in that a prosthetic tooth is attached to a titanium shaft that integrates into the jawbone. Maintaining the stability and well-being of these implants requires good oral care. Regular brushing, flossing, and antimicrobial mouth rinses can help prevent plaque build-up. They also reduce the chance of developing peri-implantitis, an infection affecting the tissues around the implant, periodontitis, or gum disease.

Ignorance can cause complications.

Ignoring dental care can lead to inflammation and bone loss around implants, known as peri-implantitis. If this issue is not resolved, it can result in implant failure and jeopardize the integrity of the implant. Frequent dental exams provide early issue identification, enabling prompt management to prevent problems from growing worse.

Enhances durability

Dental implants should be a permanent alternative to missing teeth. However, the quality of their treatment is a significant factor in their longevity. Regular professional cleaning and examination by a dentist or periodontist can significantly extend the life of implants by treating any growing difficulties before they become major ones.

Daily Dental Implant Care Routine

Here are some of the best practices to incorporate as part of your daily dental implant care routine:

Use the right toothbrush

Taking care of your dental implants is essential to guarantee their durability. Avoid using toothbrushes with stiff bristles. They are especially detrimental to dental implants and can erode the enamel of your teeth. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can easily scrape the surface of implants, resulting in permanent damage. Only use toothbrushes with soft bristles following implant placement.

Choose the right toothpaste

An abrasion of any kind might harm your implants. To avoid this, select a specialized, low-abrasive toothpaste. Regular toothpaste is sometimes very abrasive to remove plaque and stains; this excessive abrasiveness damages dental implants and enamel.

Floss regularly

Flossing is essential to dental implant maintenance. It eliminates food particles and plaque that build up between the teeth, which brushing alone cannot eliminate. Consider using floss compatible with implants, such as unwaxed tape, and floss daily.

Use interdental brushes

Using interdental brushes is one of the best tips and tricks for caring for your dental implants. They are effective for cleaning tight and hard-to-reach places. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the whole surface of your implant. Use a non-metal interdental brush to prevent scratching the restoration.

Avoid Harmful Habits

If you have recently had implants, you need proper dental recovery, and here are some harmful habits you should avoid:

Stop smoking

Avoid smoking as it hinders the healing process of dental implants. It also weakens and irritates the gums surrounding the implant. Moreover, smoking will discolor your just-placed implants.

Limit your alcohol consumption

Alcohol has a lot of adverse effects on dental implants. It expedites the plaque build-up and hinders the healing process following dental implant surgery. Therefore, it’s crucial to abstain from drinking for six months after your dental implant treatment.

Avoid damaging habits

Dental implant crowns are susceptible to chipping, cracking, and breaking despite their extraordinary durability. Your dental implant will stay longer if you abstain from destructive behaviors such as chewing on ice, pencils or pens, hard candies, or not using a nightguard if you have teeth-grinding issues.

Dietary Considerations for Dental Implants

Watching after your diet is another important dental implants aftercare. Here are some diet considerations to ensure they remain healthy:

Foods to avoid

One of the best things about having dental implants is that you don’t have to change your lifestyle much and may eat and drink almost everything you want. However, as part of your home care, avoid taking your tea and coffee when it’s too hot. Likewise, avoid hard meals, such as raw veggies, and steer clear of sticky candy, such as gum and taffy.

Nutritional recommendations

After surgery, at least for a week, watch what you eat to promote speedier healing and reduce the risk of blood clots. Some healthier options include yogurt, oats, applesauce, tepid soup, and soft ravioli.

Consider regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings

Make sure you schedule frequent check-ups with your dentist. Regular cleanings are just as beneficial for dental implants as for natural teeth. In addition to your dentist’s ability to spot early indications of implant failure and take prompt action, your hygienist will gently scrape away any accumulated plaque around your gums.

Common Issues and How to Address Them

Dental implant maintenance issues might arise despite routine care and maintenance. Here are some typical problems and solutions for addressing them:

Peri-implantitis

This form of gum disease affects the tissue surrounding the implant, resulting in inflammation and bone loss. The surrounding area of the implant might swell, bleed, or become red. Your dentist may suggest extensive cleaning techniques, antibiotics, or, in extreme situations, surgery to treat peri-implantitis.

Loose implant

If your implant seems loose or unsteady, it might be caused by a loose abutment bolt or implant failure. Contact your dentist immediately for an assessment and to discuss your treatment options.

Improper restoration

The implant-attached crown, bridge, or denture can eventually fall away, split, or shatter. It might be the result of physical trauma or just plain wear and tear. Depending on the severity of the deterioration, your dentist may suggest a repair or replacement.

Gum recession

Gum recession surrounding the implant can happen, exposing it to germs and increasing the risk of implant failure. Your dentist could advise gum grafting surgery to treat the recession and stop more damage.

Getting immediate treatment for implant care issues is critical to avoid damage and maintain the longevity of your implant. Frequent dental examinations and follow-up consultations can also aid in the early detection of such problems.

Enjoy your dental implants for a long time

Dental implants, with proper care, can provide a permanent remedy for lost teeth. If you have any queries concerning aftercare for dental implants, contact our dentists. We’re pleased to address any questions that you have.