Caring for dental implants is the same as caring for your natural teeth. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly and visit your dentist for routine check-ups and professional cleanings with a trained dental hygienist.
Dental hygiene is important for the care of your dental implants. Just like natural teeth, implant failure can occur when too much tartar buildup occurs and you develop gingivitis or gum disease along your gum line. Gum tissue is important to the success of dental implants because it ensures that the implant is supported. Depending on where you receive a dental implant, you may want to opt for an electric toothbrush to get those hard to reach areas that are tougher to clean with manual toothbrushes. Choose soft to medium bristles so that you do not disrupt the enamel of your implant or regular teeth.
If you are a smoker, it is important to consider smoking cessation for the care of your implants. In addition to your overall health and wellbeing, there is a fair amount of reliable data that shows that smoking can lead to implant failure.
Other Recommendations For Dental Implant Care
In addition to good oral hygiene practices, your dental professional may make other recommendations to ensure that you maintain clean dental implants and a healthy smile.
Common practices or products that your dentist may recommend may include:
- Antimicrobial mouth rinse to be combined with proper brushing. These help decrease bacteria in the mouth that can contribute to gum disease.
- Interdental brushes or oral irrigators (water flossers) that help remove plaque between the teeth on either side of your implant(s).
- Disclosing tablets that stain the locations where plaque has built up. These can be used as a compliment to brushing to ensure that you are reaching all areas of plaque.
Dental Implant Potential Complications
Below are some of the most common complications associated with dental implant treatments:
- Infection at the implant site
- Injury or damage to the surrounding structures such as the blood vessels or other teeth
- Sinus problems that can occur if one of the upper dental implants protrude into one of your sinus cavities
- Nerve damage which can cause pain, numbness or tingle in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin
If you have had a dental implant put in place, then it’s important to be aware of possible complications that may arise and how to handle them. If you have a dislodged crown, pain surrounding the dental implant, or a loose implant, then it’s important to contact your dentist right away.
At Serenity Dental, Dr Ash Kaushesh and associates are highly trained in Implantology and have placed over 25,000 Dental Implants. As leaders in the area of Dental Implants, Serenity Dental would be glad to help in your Dental Care.