Dental implants improve your smile and mouth function, but they need special care and maintenance to look and work their very best. Learn how to care for your dental implants properly to reduce expensive and potentially painful problems in the future. At the same time, these tips will help you make the best first impression at work and in your social life, and keep it every day.
Avoid Foods that Can Damage Dental Implants
Much like natural teeth, certain foods can damage dental implants and should be avoided whenever possible. These include hard or chewy candies like peppermints and caramel, tough fibrous produce like carrots and apples, hard foods like taco shells and crusty bread, and ice. While having dental implants does not mean you can never eat a carrot or candy again, take care to serve them in the safest way possible. Also, drinking alcohol or smoking, especially during the months-long healing process, can cause considerable problems and discomfort.
Dental Implants Deserve Regular Brushing
Use a soft bristled toothbrush to care for your dental implants properly at least two times per day. Also, opt for a nonabrasive toothpaste so you do not damage the surface of these replacement teeth. During the healing process, you may want to shy away from strong peppermint or cinnamon flavors that may irritate sensitive gums.
Protect Your Gums With Flossing and Rinsing
One of the best ways to maintain dental health in general and prolong the appearance and usability of implants is to floss and use a water rinsing tool to get rid of food particles and bacteria between and around your new teeth. These tools, which spray a narrow stream of water used to clean between and around teeth, are highly effective for dental implant patients. However, take care not to use too strong a setting to avoid damage to the implants themselves. Look for floss specifically designed for use with implants for best results. If you are not able to floss immediately after eating, at least swish your mouth with water.
Get Regular Dental Checkups to Maintain Implants Longer
After the expense and experience of getting dental implants for a healthier and more attractive mouth, the last thing you want to do is take them for granted or ignore proper care. Your oral care specialist or dentist at Las Vegas Smile Center plays an important role in ongoing health. Schedule regular checkups and maintenance appointments to make sure your dental implants are functioning properly and your overall oral health is excellent. Also, do not put off making emergency dental appointments if you experience any swelling or pain as these can indicate an infection or other potentially serious problem.
When you follow these tips to care for your dental implants, you do not need to worry about difficulties like expensive repairs, discomfort and pain, and a poor-quality smile. After you have invested so much in the appearance and function of your mouth, makes sense to do what it takes to keep your tooth implants looking and feeling as good as new.
