Caring for Your Dental Implants

Dental implants in Decatur are artificial replacement teeth anchored by a screw, rod, or bracket. They offer a long-lasting solution for people who have lost teeth or suffer from damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants can provide a foundation for dental crowns, which are decorative caps affixed to the implant to restore the tooth's appearance and function.  

Dental crowns and implants work in partnership to provide a solid foundation for various dental treatments, allowing you to get the smile you want.

Dental implants are made to look, feel, and function like their natural counterparts. They are a long-term investment, and choosing the right dentist can make all the difference in the world. However, the longevity of your dental implants does not only lie in the materials used and your dentist's expertise. Caring for your implants also plays an integral factor in making them last a lifetime.  

Dental Implants Maintenance

Clean Every Day with a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Be sure to brush your implants and surrounding gum tissue with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It prevents plaque build-up around your dental implants and aids in creating a healthier mouth.  

Although dental implants are durable, brushing them too hard, especially with a hard-bristled toothbrush, may cause damage to the surface of the implant. Additionally, brushing too hard can lead to gum recession around your dental implants. Gum recession can cause your implants to lose their color, and the gums can recede down around the implants, causing unsightly bumps and cracks.  

Brushing your implants too much can also contribute to an increased infection rate. To avoid this, be sure to brush gently around your dental implants and surrounding gum tissue with a soft-bristled toothbrush every day.  

Use a Low-Abrasive Toothpaste

Over time, the mineral build-up can form around the surface of your dental implants, which can cause them to become uneven. To avoid this, use low-abrasive, non-fluoridated toothpaste. While some kinds of toothpaste can be abrasive, fluoridated ones can damage the surface of your implants and lead to a higher possibility of infection.  

Additionally, fluoridated kinds of toothpaste can contain ingredients such as triclosan, which can lead to irritation of the lining of the mouth. Therefore, to minimize your chance of gum inflammation, it is recommended to use non-fluoridated, low-abrasive toothpaste when cleaning your dental implants.  

Use a Recommended Oral Irrigator

You can help prevent bacteria from forming around your dental implants by cleaning them daily in the morning and evening with a recommended oral irrigator. An oral irrigator is a device that cleans and flushes the area around implants with a stream of water. In addition to flushing away debris, its gentle suctioning action helps to stimulate gum and bone healing, keeping your implants healthy and free from infection.  

An oral irrigator is also recommended to use on any other area of your mouth that you are treating, like your teeth, gums, and tongue. After using an oral irrigator, rinse your mouth with water to remove any residue left on your dental implant. Additionally, rinse your mouth for 20 seconds to fully flush any debris that the irrigator has removed.  

Avoid Smoking

By smoking, you increase the probability of gum recession, which can cause your dental implants to lose their natural appearance. Additionally, smoking can lead to infection around your dental implants. You are also increasing your chance of having bone loss around your implant, leading to the need for a bone graft.  

A bone graft is a technique used to fix a problem in the bone. Often, bone grafts are used to repair jaw fractures or natural deterioration. If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking as it can pose a major risk for your dental implants.  

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist can help you maintain your dental implants. Regular dental visits can help your dentist monitor and treat any issues that may arise, such as poor gum health, infections, and a lack of bone growth. Your dentist can also evaluate your dental implants regularly to ensure they function well and look healthy.  

If you are experiencing any symptoms such as pain, burning, or discomfort around your implants, contact your dentist immediately. You may be experiencing a gingival recession or bone loss around your implants, which is a common problem in adults.  

Take Good Care of Your Dental Implants in Decatur!  

Implants are durable, permanent, natural-looking, and can last a lifetime. On that note, you wouldn't want your hard-earned money to go to waste just because of some mistakes that you could have avoided in the first place. Visit our contact page today at Texas Oral Surgery Group to schedule your next appointment.