Those with dental restorations, such as implants, may be wondering how to maintain their smiles effectively in the long term. Visiting a dentist in Jupiter is the best place to start. They will be able to guide you in your oral hygiene routine and provide effective cleaning techniques.
If you have dental implants, congratulations on this life-changing procedure. You’ve gotten your smile restored to its full glory. Now, proper care is required to maintain the implants in the long term. We’re sharing seven critical steps to take to keep your mouth healthy after dental implant treatment.
-
Brush twice daily
Just like with natural teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to a healthy mouth. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes using a soft-bristle brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums for the best clean. 1 Use a nonabrasive toothpaste to gently brush around the implant site to remove food particles and other debris. Focus on the gum line and avoid harsh toothpaste.
-
Floss daily
Flossing daily removes stubborn plaque and food particles from between your teeth. It removes harmful materials from where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing daily helps you reach tight spaces and remove plaque before it becomes tartar. Ask your dentist what type of floss they recommend that you use. By making flossing a part of your daily routine, you can prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.
-
Schedule regular dental checkups
Most adults should schedule dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings every six months. With dental implants, checkups may include specialized cleanings, checking the implant’s stability, and X-rays for bone density assessment. Implants should be evaluated every six months to catch any developing issues early. These visits help you prevent gum disease and promote the longevity of your dental implants. Schedule your next checkup today.
-
Avoid chewing ice and hard foods
With dental implants, it’s especially important to avoid chewing extremely hard foods or ice. Try to avoid hard candies, nuts, popcorn kernels, and raw vegetables, like carrots, to prevent putting immense pressure on the implant. Hard foods and ice aren’t safe to chew and can easily fracture the prosthetic tooth or damage the implant post.
Be mindful of what you eat, especially right after the dental implant procedure. Stick to soft foods and gradually introduce harder foods, but be cautious about biting on the implant site.
-
Avoid smoking
Dental patients should avoid tobacco for at least two months after implant placement.2 Habits like smoking or drinking alcohol excessively can hinder the healing and integration process of dental implants. Tobacco use restricts blood flow and slows healing, causing a higher risk of infection and implant rejection.
Beyond the two months, cutting out smoking completely is ideal to avoid staining your teeth and prevent jawbone loss. If you experience severe jawbone loss, your permanent prosthetic is put in danger of failing.
-
Wear a mouthguard
If you play sports or grind your teeth at night (bruxism), you should wear a custom-fit mouthguard to protect your teeth and dental implants. If you inform your dentist that you clench or grind your teeth at night, they can create a custom-made mouthguard for you. Wearing a mouthguard during sports and while sleeping effectively protects your natural and artificial teeth.
-
Get regular exercise
Lastly, regular exercise is important not only for your overall well-being but also for the success of your dental implants. Getting regular exercise after getting dental implants improves blood flow and decreases the risk of complications. Better blood circulation delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to support tissue regeneration and quicker healing.
Additionally, physical activity helps strengthen the immune system to prevent the risk of infection that could impact the stability of your implants. Staying active also helps you maintain good bone density and strength.
Keep your smile healthy with these tips
These tips will help you maintain your restored smile with dental implants. Follow these seven smile maintenance tips to promote the longevity and success of your implants. Visit a “dentist near me” to assess how your implants are healing and for more recommendations.