Dental implantations are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth or damaged ones. However, they require special care to stay healthy and last for many years. Here are a few tips on how to take care of your implants.
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Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day with Toothpaste that Contains Fluoride
Brushing using toothpaste with fluoride is crucial for taking care of your dental implants. The toothpaste protects not only the surface of the implant but also the gum tissue that covers the implant. Fluoride is very significant for tooth enamel. It protects teeth from decay, strengthens the implants, and helps keep them healthy.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwash Daily
Antibacterial mouthwash can help keep bacteria from building up around your implants. This helps keep the gums and tissues healthy and free of harmful bacteria capable of causing gum disease or other problems. Some mouthwashes have a special ingredient that kills bad breath germs, which can also help promote good oral health for your implant.
Avoid Chewing Hard Foods
If you have artificial teeth, your doctor will probably recommend avoiding hard foods such as raw carrots and apples. Chewing these kinds of foods can cause damage to your dental implant, leading to issues such as gum disease, bad breath, or loose teeth. Other hard things which you should avoid includes:
- Gum and candy that is chewy or sticky
- Hard bread crusts
- Chips of any kind
Avoid Tobacco Products, Alcohol, and Acidic Drinks
Tobacco products can cause issues with your artificial teeth because they contain nicotine. Smoking or using a chewing tobacco product makes you more susceptible to gum injury around the implant site.
Alcohol is harmful because it causes dry mouth, allowing bacteria to accumulate around implants and cause inflammation. Acidic foods and drinks like citrus fruit juices contribute to this problem by eroding the implant material, especially when consumed frequently.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
For good oral hygiene, you need to do regular brushing and flossing twice a day. It is the best way to keep your teeth and implants healthy because it removes bacteria that can cause damage to your teeth.
Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to brushing around your artificial teeth. Be sure you do not brush too hard, which may injure the gum tissue surrounding the implant.
Be Careful not to Damage the Gums
When brushing your teeth, you should use only gentle circular strokes. Also, using a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush can be beneficial. This is because they move in a more precise manner than regular toothbrushes. If you have braces, check with your orthodontist before using an electric or battery-operated brush, which may cause scratches and other problems.
Eat a Balanced Diet
A nutritious diet is crucial for your oral health. You need enough calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients in your daily meals or supplements to keep your teeth strong and gums healthy. Your dentist will also tell you if they recommend any extra dietary modifications for your particular case.
Schedule Regular Implant Checkups with Your Dentist
During routine dental examinations, your dentist will look for any signs of trouble around the site where you have your artificial teeth. This is essential because it can help prevent issues such as gum disease caused by bacteria getting trapped around the implant.
If the doctor detects any concern during one of these visits, you should schedule a follow-up appointment for further examination. This way, if there are any serious concerns, the doctor can deal with them early before they become bigger problems that are harder to treat.
Avoid Using Toothpicks Near Your Implants
Many people use toothpicks to clean their teeth or dislodge bits of food stuck in between teeth. If you have any artificial teeth, it is important to avoid using a toothpick around the implant site. This can result in injury and damage to the soft tissue around the implant.
This could even result in loosening or detachment of teeth or implants. Ask your dentist for help if you need something to clean between your teeth without harming your implants.
Bottom Line
Artificial teeth are extremely beneficial. They allow you to regain your full mouth function and enjoy all the foods you used to love while having teeth that look great. However, they do require special care to remain healthy and effective. These include avoiding tobacco products, acidic foods and drinks, alcohol, and more.
