If you have been considering replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, you may find that you have an awful lot of questions regarding what to expect. While all of the benefits and details in the world may make you feel extremely confident about making a final decision, there’s one concern that may cause you some serious anxiety: Will implants cause you a daily dental hygiene hassle? The good news is that addressing tooth loss with implants will do no such thing. Daily care is actually quite simple and will help you maintain your prosthetics for years to come (if not for life). Ready to learn more about how to best care for implants? Consider the following.
Simple Steps to Optimal Implant Care
Fortunately, caring for your dental implants typically requires you to follow the same guidelines as you would for a natural smile free of prosthetics. Follow these steps:
- Schedule a dental cleaning and checkup once every six months, unless you are directed to schedule more frequent visits. Cleanings will remove plaque or debris you simply cannot address on your own. Checkups promote early detection of complications for immediate treatment that typically yield an excellent success rate.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Do not use a medium- or hard-bristle toothbrush or any product that may scratch your implants (or your tooth’s enamel). Even though the artificial material of your dental implant restorations will not develop cavities, your prosthetics are resting within your living tissue. You will need to brush away plaque and debris to prevent problems like periodontal disease and infection.
- Accustomed to brushing your teeth more often? If you prefer to also brush after meals, begin by rinsing your mouth. After you wait approximately 30 minutes, go ahead and brush your smile.
- Floss your teeth daily. You should be using a strand of floss that measures around 18 inches, so you can continue shifting to a fresh segment of floss as you work your way through your mouth. Flossing will allow you to remove additional plaque and particles that are left behind during your brushing sessions.
ABOUT YOUR ROHNERT PARK, CA ORAL SURGEONS:
Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).
