Dental implants have transformed the way that oral health professionals approach tooth loss. Since dental implants are a relatively new treatment option, many people have questions about how to care for these prosthetics. Dental implants are surprisingly easy to care for as they can be brushed and flossed alongside biological teeth. Following is helpful information on keeping your replacement teeth in tip-top shape.
Cleaning Dental Implants
Dental implants are actually prosthetics that replace the roots of teeth. Attached to them are restorations like crowns or prosthetics like bridges or dentures. To keep these replacement teeth clean, patients will brush and floss as they normally would. Some people choose to enhance their oral hygiene with water irrigators, which help flush debris and bacteria that collect underneath crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Long-Term Care Considerations
Although dental implants are resistant to disease, there are conditions that can develop that could threaten an implant’s longevity. Preventing conditions like gum disease and tooth decay are important for one’s overall oral health as well as ensuring that dental implants continue to function as they should.
Implants rely on the support of the jawbones and gums to function. If these structures are affected by oral disease, it could lead to implant failure. Oral infections, gum disease, tooth loss, and dental caries could affect the health of the jawbones.
This is why performing proper oral hygiene, eating balanced diets low in sugar and acid, and keeping routine appointments for checkups and cleanings are essential for protecting your replacement teeth. Routine checkups could reveal potential problems long before they threaten your replacement teeth. Early detection also saves money and time because treating conditions when they first develop is less expensive and invasive than the treatments needed to address advanced oral health problems.
If you are wondering if dental implants meet your needs, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our implant dentist. After discussing your lifestyle, reviewing your health history, and performing a thorough examination, our team will be able to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.
Call the office of Dr. David Kuban today to reserve your dental implant consultation.
