Tips To Maintain Dental Implants

Dental implants are an ideal solution if you are missing a tooth. Unlike dentures and partial dentures, dental implants look and function just like you normal teeth. They are anchored directly to your jawbone, just like natural teeth, and must be cared for like natural teeth. These restorations need to be cleaned regularly, as their long-term success depends on how well you maintain your dental implants.

Proper Care:
Because dental visits are essential, you should work with your implant dentist to develop a regular visitation program to meet your individual needs and to ensure the optimum health of your restorations and surrounding natural teeth.

If your gums and teeth are not properly cleaned and flossed, periodontal disease can develop. If this condition is left alone, the result can be weakened supporting structures and tooth loss in addition to the loss of your dental implants.

Here are some tips to maintain the health of your dental restorations:

• At-home care: Brushing and flossing daily is essential so that your dental implants will remain healthy. There are a variety of supplemental products that allow you to clean your implants properly.
• Toothbrush: It may be in your best interest to get an electric tooth brush for a more complete cleaning. A toothbrush with a bent handle to access those hard-to-reach places can also give you a more thorough cleaning.
• Brushing technique: If you have a removable prosthesis that attaches to your dental implant, once your remove the prosthesis, be sure to brush around your gums and implant and floss thoroughly. If you have a fixed prosthesis, brush the restoration as you would your normal teeth and floss from the front, sides and back. Whether you use a regular bristle brush or an electric toothbrush, you should practice your brushing techniques with your dentist, to ensure that you are cleaning the implant area correctly.
• Floss threaders: It is also a good idea to pick up some floss threaders. These are very helpful because they allow you to reach around your implants and floss in hard-to-reach areas. Special types of floss are also available, such as floss with a foam coating that cleans around your gums, implants and prosthetic teeth. Be sure to discuss these options with your dentist.
• Additional brushes: Small dental brushes known as "proxy brushes," or interdental brushes are designed to clean in between your teeth and dental implants. While it is not meant to replace your other toothbrush or your floss, the special brush can help clean areas that the other tools may miss.
• Toothpaste: Because toothpastes are designed for natural teeth, they contain fluoride. While this ingredient will not harm your implants, you should be sure to read all ingredients carefully. Toothpastes that contain baking soda or abrasive stain removers and those designed for smokers can remove the glaze on porcelain restorations.
• Mouthwash: Many mouth rinses on the market are designed to give you a fresh- breath feeling. However, alcohol is used to create this and can lead to dry mouth. If you have the tendency toward a dry mouth, you should use an alcohol-free mouth rinse.
• Regular dental visits: You should have your teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months. But after having dental implants placed, it may be a good idea to see your dentist every three months to thoroughly clean your implants and ensure that there are not any problems. Your specific dental visit program will be discussed and determined after your implants are placed.

Source: Maintaining Your Dental Implants

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