Dental implants procedures increased by 6.3% from 2019 to 2020. This trend is likely to continue as more and more people want aesthetically pleasing smiles even as they reach their senior years.
Once you have them put in, dental implant care is vital to keep your oral health in good condition.
Read on to learn how to care for dental implants to enjoy a happy, healthy smile for the rest of your life.
Why Dental Implant Care Matters
Both natural teeth and implants need healthy tissue in your gums for support.
Plaque buildup on your gum line can lead to infection and gum disease – even in areas where you have dental implants.
Without treatment, gum disease can result in bone loss in the area around the implant. Eventually, you will lose the tooth – natural or implant alike.
Cleaning and caring for dental implants is imperative to keep them looking good and in working order. Besides, you don’t want to spend money on implants only to lose them to disease.
Proper and regular cleaning of your dental implants reduces your risk of a variety of mouth issues. It also means that you can enjoy an attractive smile for years to come.
Use a Soft-Bristle Toothbrush
You might not have noticed, but each toothbrush has a softened rating. Soft, medium or hard bristles are all options.
When cleaning dental implants, you should opt for a soft or extra-soft bristle toothbrush. Soft bristles are just as effective as cleaning plaque and tartar. Yet, there are less likely to damage your gums.
Talk to your dentist about whether or not you should use an electric or manual toothbrush. Your dentist will take into account your overall mouth history and give you their best recommendation.
Even with an electric toothbrush, be sure the bristles are soft.
Use a Water Flosser
A water flosser (also called a water jet or oral irrigator) is a tool more effective than dental floss. It is a hand-held device that uses streams of warm water to remove food and bacteria.
A water flosser can remove bacteria and buildup both around and under your gums. There are various kinds of water flossers. Some come with attachments such as a rubber tip to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Clean and healthy gums are one of the most important things you can do for your oral health. So using a water flosser to get a deeper clean is a good idea.
Use the water flosser first before you brush. That way you don’t blast the fluoride in the toothpaste off with the pressure of the water flosser.
Buy Low-Abrasive Toothpaste
Some kinds of toothpaste contain abrasive agents such as baking soda. These ingredients are intended to whiten teeth.
But they spell bad news for dental implants. Abrasive compounds can wear away at the glaze or top coat of your dental implants.
Read the ingredients carefully. Or purchase toothpaste that is designed for dental implants.
Go for Regular Dental Cleanings
A big part of dental implant care and maintenance is visiting your dentist regularly.
Regular cleanings are vital to confirm that your implants are in good condition. But on top of that, you will have a deep cleaning during your visit.
The dental hygenist is able to clean your teeth much better than you can do on your own at home. The hygenist will remove any buildup of plaque before it can develop into gum disease.
They usually also add fluoride or other agents to help your teeth be healthy and strong.
Don’t Chomp on Hard Foods
Another important tip for dental implant care is to be mindful of what you put in your mouth. You can break or chip your implants on hard objects.
Avoid hard candy, large ice cubes, and even biting the end of pencils or pens.
If you eat crunchy foods like apples and carrots, it’s best to cut them into smaller pieces first.
Don’t Grind Your Teeth
Grinding your teeth producing up to 250 pounds of force per square inch. That is a huge amount of pressure on your teeth and implants.
Over time, both your natural teeth and your implants will suffer lasting damage. Normal chewing and talking wears out your teeth at a rate of .3mm every 10 years. But for teeth grinders, it can be as high as 1mm in the same time period.
Often, people grind their teeth when they are stressed. It is most common at night during sleep.
If you wake up with a sore jaw or clenched teeth, talk to your dentist about it. Often the solution is to be fitted with a nightguard to protect your teeth against the force of teeth grinding.
Quit Smoking
Yes, you read that right! Smoking plays a big negative role in your dental health.
It can cause gum inflammation and gum weakness. Not to mention it also stains and can damage dental implants and crowns.
You can research various smoking cessation methods to see which might work for you.
Use Antimicrobial Mouth Rinses
An antimicrobial or therapeutic mouthwash has special ingredients to reduce plaque, tooth decay, and gingivitis.
Plus, mouth rinses also reduce bad breath which is a great win.
Practicing Proper Dental Implant Care
There you go! A full account of all the things you should do and not do in terms of dental implant care.
Regular dental visits coupled with twice-a-day brushing, mouth rinsing, and flossing will help you keep your oral health in optimal condition.
Schedule your appointment online with Katy Gentle Dentists.