Maintaining healthy teeth is one of the important steps toward achieving overall health. With dazzling white teeth, you will have an impeccable smile which will boost your confidence and mental health. However, in a world of uncertainties, you may encounter an accident that causes permanent teeth loss. Consequently, you will feel awful since you barely enjoy eating due to uneven bites. In that case, your Woodlands dentist will recommend you get dental implants to restore your smile and eating habits. Further, they will advise you to embrace the following ways to care for dental implants.
Brush Your Teeth
Some patients think they no longer need to brush their teeth after getting the implants. However, brushing your teeth after getting the implants is vital to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis, which involves gum swelling on the newly implanted teeth. When brushing your teeth, it is good to use the soft bristled brush to avoid scratching the surface of the implants, reducing the shiny appearance. Substitute the abrasive toothpaste with less abrasive pastes, such as gel products, to keep your implant gleaming.
Avoid Certain Meals
Some meals can damage the newly implanted teeth, reducing their longevity in serving their intended purpose. For example, hard meals such as candies can break dental implants. It is, therefore, important to eat soft meals such as vegetable smoothies. Further, it would be best to avoid hot soups since they can deform the implants.
Reduce the Intake of Alcohol
Excessive alcohol intake has adverse effects when it comes to your dental health. Notably, the high content of sugar in alcoholic drinks can increase the chances of tooth decay which also apply to most dental implants. Additionally, alcohol impedes the immune system, slowing healing after dental implant appointments. Therefore, you should skip the intake of alcohol for at least six months after the implant treatment.
Floss Your Teeth
You may think brushing is adequate to keep your teeth and implants in good health, but you are mistaken. Sometimes, the soft-bristled toothbrush may not reach certain regions, especially between the teeth or implants. Consequently, the plaque will accumulate in those hard-to-reach areas leading to tartar which breed other teeth complication. Fortunately, by flossing once daily, you reduce the risk of those concerns using implant-friendly floss such as unwaxed tape.
Make Regular Appointments With Your Dentist
Regular dental visits are crucial in maintaining oral and overall health. Visit your dentist at least once every six months for dental cleaning. Through these appointments, your dentist will also check your dental implants and ensure they are in good shape. In the case of peri-implantitis, your dentist will offer the necessary treatments, such as antibiotic agents.
Dental implants do wonder when it comes to restoring the smile for individuals missing some teeth. After getting the dental implants, it is good to adopt the care tips to keep them in good condition. Conduct oral hygiene practices such as flossing to mitigate peri-implantitis. Limiting alcohol intake will also help to boost recovery after the implantation procedure. Regular appointments with your dentist will help ensure dental implants are functioning properly.