If you’re looking for a way to return your smile to normal after losing a tooth or getting one extracted, then you may have thought of dental implants. Thanks to advancements in dental technologies, it is possible to get back your beautiful smile. However, taking care of your dental implant just as you would your natural teeth is recommended. While there are different dental implant materials, all of them require the same level of care and upkeep.
Maintaining Your Dental Implant
You will likely arrange routine check-up sessions with your dentist in addition to the everyday maintenance required to maintain your dental implants and the surrounding regions to keep them free of infection or illness. You should, at the absolute least, visit your dentist twice a year for dental cleanings and examinations, as well as if you experience pain near the implant. Your dentist has the training and equipment necessary to identify any problems and warning signals with your dental implants or gums that you might not be able to see.
Dentists keep an eye on the surrounding tissue and measure the amount of plaque accumulation to search for warning signs. Additionally, your dentist will check the gums surrounding your dental implant using a periodontal probe. A probe is a tool used to measure the distance between your gums and teeth as well as the thickness of your gums. Your dentist will take note if your gums bleed while being probed because it is often a symptom of unhealthy gums.
Infection Is Your Enemy
Cleaning natural teeth and implant-supported tooth replacements are crucial since both rely on strong surrounding tissues for support. Like with natural teeth, bacterial biofilm (plaque) builds up on implant crowns and needs to be cleaned every day at home. Without routine biofilm removal, an infection known as peri-implantitis (from the Greek “peri” meaning “around” and “itis” meaning “inflammation”) might form. The dental hygienist has a crucial role to play in maintaining dental implants free of infection, and there are many things to take into account when choosing the best tools for a thorough cleaning. At Ford Dental Group, Dr. Jonathan Ford recommends getting follow-ups and regular checkups to make sure your dental implant lasts a lifetime.
Home Care And Flossing
Whether it’s a zirconium dental implant or a titanium dental implant, home care and flossing are necessary. Making sure you use low-abrasive materials is crucial if you want your implants to last a lifetime. Avoid toothpaste that includes baking soda or certain stain removers.
Use a brush that has comparatively soft bristles. After that, most brush types, including electric brushes, ought to suffice. Be careful to clean your teeth twice a day, just as you would with real teeth. Additionally, flossing every day is necessary for implants since it keeps your gums healthy. You should use floss designed particularly for implants, as advised by your dentist. Also, flossing around an implant requires a somewhat different method. When flossing an implant, make a circle with the floss around the implant and move it back and forth gently.
Contact us at Ford Dental Group if you are interested in dental implants or have any additional questions on dental implant materials.
