Blog Post

Caring For Your Dental Implants

websitebuilder • June 26, 2017

Missing or broken teeth don't have to ruin your smile. Dental implants provide a permanent fix for more than 3 million patients in the US, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). If you're about to join the 500,000 plus people who are adding to this figure every year, understanding how to care for your implants is absolutely essential. What do you need to know about implant care? Take a look at the ins and outs of keeping your dental implants (and your whole mouth) healthy.

Getting Adjustments

One of the major advantages of dental implants is that they're permanent. Keep in mind that doesn't mean they last for a lifetime. Think of the word "permanent" as meaning long-term and non-removable, instead of forever, when it comes to the top (crown) portion of the implants. Some patients are able to keep their "new teeth" for a decade or more. Even though they're made to last and stand up to normal daily use, you may need to get adjustments – especially in the time right after getting the devices placed. The dentist may need to smooth down the top (crown) if you're having bite issues. Over time, the dentist will continue to check your implants to make sure that they are in place, intact and have no breaks, cracks or other issues.

Brushing and Flossing

Dental implants aren't real teeth. They may look like them, but they're made from a titanium screw (replacing the root) and a porcelain, ceramic, acrylic or metal alloy crown. Unlike natural teeth, these materials aren't vulnerable to the ravages of plaque and decay. In other words, you won't get a cavity in your porcelain crown. But that doesn't mean you're done with at-home dental care. If you only have one or a few implants, you'll still need to care for all of your pother teeth. Beyond that, you still need to brush and floss the implanted tooth. Why?

Even though the crown part of your implant won't decay, you still need to get the gunk and grime off of it. This helps it to retain its color and stay in good shape. You'll also need to continue flossing. Healthy gums are a major part of a healthy mouth. Whether you have real or fake teeth, flossing helps to keep your gums in the best shape possible.

Eating and Drinking

After an initial adjustment period you should be able to eat anything you would have before having implants. There are rarely dietary restrictions with these devices, and they stand up well to most types of foods. If you have concerns about cracking, chopping or in some other way injuring the crown part of your implant, talk to your dentist. The pro may suggest that you steer clear of chewy, sticky or hard foods such as hard candy or ice chips.

There are also rarely drink restrictions for patients who have implants. That said, if you're worried about possible staining, you may want to stay away from highly pigmented beverages. These include dark teas, red wine and sodas.

Regular Check-Ups

With regular at-home brushing and flossing, it's not likely that you'll need to do anything extra to care for your implants. Of course, that doesn't mean you can skip the dentist. Just because your new teeth aren't "real" doesn't mean you're done with preventative dental care. The rest of your teeth and your gums still need the professional-level cleaning that an office visit provides. The dentist can also examine your implants, making sure that there are no problems or issues with them.

Only an expert can provide implant services. If you're considering an implant or need ongoing professional care, call Premier Dentures and Implants at 225-774-3368 for more information.

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