Wondering how to care for dental implants? Oftentimes, people who have implants think that they don’t require as much maintenance. While it’s true there’s no way for the material to develop a cavity, dental implants require healthy bone and tissue.
Healthy gums are clean gums, so it’s important to maintain a strong oral hygiene routine. When you want to take proper care of your dental implants, here’s what you need to know. You need specific effort and techniques to ensure they stay clean and free of plaque and harmful bacteria.
Have you heard of peri-implantitis? This destructive inflammatory condition impacts the soft and hard tissue that surrounds the implant. Unfortunately, it has the potential to lead to the loss of your implant.
Despite the cleaning challenges some restorative methods present, implants are an incredible medical procedure. Still, preventing implant disease is essential to the long-term function and health of your mouth.
When you know how to care for dental implants, you help to ensure their success.
How to Care for Your Dental Implants
If you have questions about care for dental implants, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist. Their dental team is always available to answer your questions. Moreover, after the procedure, they lay out a care plan for you to follow.
As you learn to care for your dental implants, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Clean it at least twice daily
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a low-abrasive toothpaste
- Brush around and under the crown of the implant
- Use an interdental brush with a nylon coating to clean hard-to-reach places
- With implant-specific floss, floss daily
- Use an oral irrigator (water pick) recommended by your dentist
- See a dental hygienist twice each year or as frequently as your dentist recommends.
- If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, ask your dentist about a nightguard. This alleviates pressure and protects your implant and natural teeth.
How to Care for Overdentures with Implants
Oftentimes, dentists use dental implants to support bridges and dentures. The implant helps to provide a better foundation for these prosthetics. Moreover, they help to prevent bone loss in the law.
If you have questions about your overdenture, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Here are a few care tips to help you keep it in good shape.
- After each meal, remove the denture. Rinse it well and brush the underside with a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste or cleaner.
- With the denture out, brush around the dental implant to remove debris and prevent the buildup of plaque.
- Before you place it in your mouth, rinse the overdenture thoroughly.
- If your dentist recommends daily soaking, clean them per the tips above. Then, soak the overdenture in a specific cleaner. Follow the instructions of the cleaner and your dentist.
- Inspect the o-rings, caps, and clips. If anything is missing or worn down, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
- Speak to your dentist about annual o-ring and locator cap replacements. This ensures they fit securely because they tend to wear with time.
- Schedule check-ups per your dentist’s recommendations. This varies from quarterly to annual visits, depending on an array of factors. Ask your dentist for their recommendation for a personalized assessment.
Failed Implants: How to Ensure Proper Care for Dental Implants
Proper care for dental implants helps to prevent implant failure. There are two primary reasons that implants fail. One reason is trauma from excessive pressure on the implant site. Often, this is from biting down too hard. Immediately after your appointment, it’s a good idea to avoid hard foods for a time.
After a while, the area becomes stronger. However, it’s always a good idea to avoid too much pressure on the area. For those who suffer from bruxism, a bite guard is crucial for long-term protection.
Secondly, poor oral hygiene contributes to implant failure. It’s important to follow proper cleaning instructions. Moreover, immediately after the surgery, it’s good to avoid strenuous activity. Additionally, it’s good to cut out smoking for about two weeks.
Lifelong oral hygiene is essential for dental implants and natural teeth. Be sure to follow your care plan precisely.
Questions About How to Care for Dental Implants?
If you have questions about care for dental implants, your dentist is a great source of information. At our dental office, we offer personalized care to our patients. While it would be great to have one universal answer for everyone, personal care is essential to success.
Want to learn more about dental implants? Schedule a consultation with our dental team in Houston!
