Dental Implants and Dental Care
|January 21, 2016
When it comes to Dental Implants and Dental Care, you want to make sure that you follow your dentist’s instructions.
One of the best reasons to replace missing teeth with dental implants is their ease of care. However, even though they most closely resemble your natural teeth, they do require you to care for them properly.
Here are some suggestions from your La Jolla dentist on how to give your dental implants the best possible dental care.
Learn to Floss Dental Implants
Just as with your natural teeth, dental implants require you to floss. No, you can’t get out of it just because you have dental implants. However, if you thought flossing was difficult before, now you have to take very special care when you floss.
When it comes to flossing, a major difference between natural teeth and dental implants is how they work with your gums. Natural teeth and gums contain nerves. Floss incorrectly or too hard, you’ll feel the pain; do this with dental implants and you might inadvertently break the seal between your implant and gum. This could allow bacteria into the pocket and cause the implant to fail. That’s why it’s important to use light force when flossing to avoid tissue trauma.
Talk to your San Diego dentist about the best way to floss your teeth and dental implants, including using a water pick (oral irrigator).
Brush for Good Dental Implants and Dental Care
Just as with flossing, brushing dental implants requires care. Brushing too briskly on either natural teeth or dental implants may cause damage.
With natural teeth, brushing too hard can lead to tooth sensitivity as well as gum damage. Cutting or pushing back the gum may expose the root tooth. When gums recede naturally or by accident, the exposure can increase the possibility of cavities and disease on the sensitive roots.
Additionally, when brushing dental implants, some dental experts believe you can increase the risk of implant damage when using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush due to vibrations. Instead, use a softhead manual brush with non-abrasive toothpaste.
To make sure you provide proper care for your dental implants, speak with your La Jolla dentist and follow his specific instructions for proper dental implant care.
Check in with Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting your San Diego dentist isn’t just a good idea for people with dental implants. It’s a vital step in overall dental hygiene in general. Here’s what we suggest to ensure the success of your implants.
First, once you’ve received dental implants be sure to follow all instructions provided by your dental professional regarding aftercare.
Next, visit your La Jolla dentist for routine cleanings as well as regular checkups for your dental implants. He’ll want to ensure they heal and function properly.
Finally, any time you visit a new dental hygienist or dentist, be sure to inform them that you have dental implants. They can look like your natural teeth with a crown. Harsh cleaning, even in a dental office, can have a negative impact on them.
Dental implants offer a great tooth-loss solution, and if you would like more information regarding Dental Implants and Dental Care call or click and talk to your San Diego dentist today.