In my dental practice, I see patients regularly that need replacements for their dental implants due to wear and tear.adidas women sneakers dallas cowboys game nike air jordan mens shoes nike air max plus wig shop online official nfl shop outlet adidas nfl chicago bears nike air max terrascape 90 on feet custom jerseys nfl custom jersey cheap lace front wigs adidas promo code best human hair wigs best human hair wigs for black females
They must fund the replacement costs, which can be pretty expensive. To help them save more money in the future, I advise them on how to keep their dental implants in good condition.
Do you have dental implants? Keep reading as we discuss the best tips, practices, and methods to preserve your dental implants and avoid the cost of replacement.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the best solutions to replace missing teeth and restore a mouth to its natural setting. Living with missing teeth can cause jaw misalignment as well as significant discomfort and insecurity for the patient.
Dental implants are fixed to the jawbone in a dental procedure, serving as the replacement of the roots that would usually exist.
Dental implants come in two types – single implants, which replace a single tooth, and overdentures, which replace several missing teeth in a row.
Once the dentist has prepared the dental implant and placed it in the jawbone, they will attach a dental implant crown, which serves as the replacement tooth, aligning with the rest of the teeth to prevent jaw complications and make chewing easier.
Dental implants can improve confidence and oral comfort when people lose teeth due to injury, infection, or poor oral hygiene. However, some practices and tips should be kept in mind to ensure the dental implant stays in good condition.
How To Take Care Of Dental Implants
Caring for your dental implants will be different depending on the kind of implant you have. So, let’s discuss the best practices when caring for either single implants or overdentures.
Caring For Single Implants
To care for a single implant, you must generally practice good oral hygiene as you would do with the rest of your teeth, including:
- Brushing every morning and night – you must brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using fluoride toothpaste. Brush for two minutes, ensuring to reach as much of the surface area of the teeth as you can. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will minimise the risk of dislodging your implant.
- Use a nylon-coated interdental brush – rather than just using your regular brush and floss, you should use a nylon-coated interdental brush. It will help clean the hard-to-reach areas between your natural teeth and the dental implant.
- Floss daily – you should floss at least once every day to clean all the gaps, eliminating leftover food residue and bacteria that may thrive between your natural and implanted teeth.
- Use an oral irrigator – an oral irrigator is an alternative to flossing that is much less invasive and less likely to cause bleeding gums. The device sprays a cleaning solution or mouthwash between the teeth to rid the area of any residue. You can use it alongside flossing to remove all residue from the teeth’ gaps.
- Visit your dentist regularly – visiting your dentist for regular checkups will ensure no complications with your implant and allow you to check in with your overall oral hygiene and identify any problem areas before they develop into a worsened condition.
Caring For Overdentures
Caring for overdentures differs significantly from cleaning a single implant. Here are the best practices when caring for overdentures:
- Remove your denture daily – overdentures are removable. You can take it out daily and place it into a cleaning solution overnight, ridding the implant of any food, bacteria, and residue.
- Perform an inspection – to connect to your dental implants; the overdenture has loops and rings that allow it to attach. You should inspect these rings to ensure the overdenture is in mint condition, and alert your dentist if you notice any damage or wear and tear.
- Gently brush your overdenture – you should use a soft-bristled brush to brush the underside before placing it into your cleaning solution. This will help to reduce any buildup on the loops and wiring of the denture. Using a soft-bristled brush will prevent you from causing any damage during the brushing process, so long as you brush gently.
- Rinse your overdenture – before placing it back into your mouth after soaking it, you must rinse it with water. The cleaning solution will not taste good and can be harmful if consumed daily.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups – visiting your dentist for a routine checkup will allow them to inspect the rings on your overdenture to ensure there aren’t any damages or faults they must repair. Additionally, they will check your other teeth and ensure your oral health is in good condition.
What Happens If You Don’t Care For Your Dental Implant?
If you do not take adequate care of your dental implant or other natural teeth, you risk needing a replacement – and perhaps a procedure for your other teeth.
Replacing your dental implant can be expensive and unnecessary. By taking good care of your dental implant, you can preserve it, keep it in good condition, and reduce the risk of needing a replacement.
Summary
Taking excellent and fastidious care of your dental implants is essential and reduces your risk of funding a replacement. By following the steps in this article, you can spot any issues with your dental implants early and keep them in excellent condition – ensuring your dental investments last. If you want to learn more about taking care of your teeth and dental implants, reach out to our team at Verve Dental today – we’re always happy to help!
