Dental implants are a comprehensive, highly beneficial treatment that can replace missing teeth. With implant dentistry, you can close gaps in your smile, enhance oral function, and prevent further oral health problems after losing one or more teeth.
These fixed appliances use surgically inserted anchors in the jaw to support prosthetic teeth. They can last for twenty years or longer with proper care. Many people appreciate that they will not require additional maintenance, unlike removable dentures and similar treatments.
However, you still need to take care of your implants with good oral hygiene in order for them to function as well as possible. Check out advice from your dentist that can help you maximize oral hygiene with your new dental implants when you read on.
Stick to a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
Oral hygiene refers to the practice of cleaning plaque, food particles, and other residues that accrue on your teeth throughout your day. The prosthetic teeth of your dental implants will resist staining and decay. But they will still collect plaque that could harm them and the rest of your smile. If you develop gum disease, swelling or receding gums may affect the fit of your implant.
You must continue good oral hygiene if you want your implants to stay in place. This means brushing your teeth at least twice per day, morning and night. You will also need to floss on a daily basis.
Implants will not require a separate cleaning regimen, but you must not skip brushing and flossing around the implants. When you first receive implants, you may need to be gentle around the sites to avoid irritating the area while you heal. Follow aftercare guidelines from your dentist to ensure you can maximize oral cleanliness without hurting your implants.
Proper oral hygiene will also mean you need to attend professional teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office. Continue seeking preventive oral health care from your dentist after you receive implants.
Consider Targeted Oral Hygiene Products for Your Implants
You use a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to complete your usual oral hygiene routine. And you should continue using these tools to clean your smile after implant dentistry. A traditional manual toothbrush and string floss will still keep your smile clean. But you might benefit from more targeted oral hygiene supplies for your implants.
For instance, an electric toothbrush with soft bristles can better remove plaque from your smile. This can lower your risk of gum disease and other dental concerns that could affect your implants. Discuss your oral health needs with your dentist to discover the right tools for your oral hygiene regimen.
You can also consider a water flosser, a device that generates a stream of water that you aim to clean between your teeth. The water flosser features tips that you can swap for your oral health needs, including one that can better clean around your implants.