Despite the huge advancements in the dental space, many people still deal with tooth loss. Tooth loss can be attributed to several reasons including injury, disease, and tooth decay. Over the years, dental patients primarily resorted to bridges and dentures to remedy missing teeth.
Fortunately, they now have a more dependable treatment option in the form of dental implants. Basically, dental implants act like replacement tooth roots. Dental implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or permanent teeth and removable ones. Dental implants also look like natural teeth so most people won’t know you have them.
How to Look After Your Dental Implants Accordingly
To guarantee you get to take full advantage of all the benefits dental implants have to offer and you get to enjoy your dental implants for a long time to come, keep the following aftercare basics in mind:
Refrain from using abrasive products
Whether it’s a toothpaste or mouthwash, it is recommended that you go for cleaning products that are not abrasive. This is especially true if you have dental implants to take care of. Fortunately, there is no shortage of mild options available.
Abrasive cleaning products are not only uncomfortable to use, they can also cause damage to your dental implants. It is also ideal that you avoid using dental products that have intense flavors as it can leave an unpleasant feeling in your mouth.
Invest in a soft nylon toothbrush
When you have dental implants, it would be wise to use a soft nylon toothbrush. Nylon toothbrushes come with bristles that are very gentle on your implants. It is also considered a good idea to use a Proxabrush to clean hard to reach areas in the mouth.
It is also important to refrain from using toothbrushes with hard bristles as they might damage the surface of the implant. It is also recommended that you avoid using metal instruments to clean your dental implants.
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Generally, avoiding smoking and alcohol can make a world of difference for your overall health. However, avoiding the two can also do wonders for your dental implants. For starters, it can help ensure you won’t be staining your dental implants.
Remember that your dental implants can take as long as six months to heal. If you are a heavy smoker, healing can last a lot longer since smoking has been known to slow down the healing process. The same is also true when you consume alcohol.
Floss daily
Here’s an interesting statistic: In the United States, only 16% of people floss daily. This means a staggering 84% don’t floss like they should. If you are part of the 84%, consider flossing consistently once you get your dental implants.
With dental implants, flossing is more important than ever. Why is this so? Remember that there is a tendency for plaque to easily accumulate around the implants. When not addressed accordingly, it can result in several oral issues and problems.
Fortunately, there are many flosses designed for those with dental implants. If you find it difficult including flossing in your daily routine, set a reminder on your phone, do it while watching TV, or stash a floss in your purse.
Visit your dentist regularly
Undeniably, dental implants are designed to help improve your smile dramatically. However, they are not the ideal treatment option for all dental issues. Depending on your overall oral health, visiting your dentist at least twice yearly is considered ideal.
If you have dental implants, visiting your dentist regularly is even more important so your dentist can assess if there are any problems with your dental implants and address them right away.
