How to maintain your dental implants
Dental implants look, function, and feel like real teeth and have the same or better durability than your natural teeth. You can wake up and go about your daily routine as normal and with confidence. Modern dental implants have been used in dentistry successfully for over 30 years and are becoming more and more popular. Move over dentures and bridges!
As with any dental procedure, it’s best to know what to look out for and what to expect when getting implants so the results will leave you smiling for years to come.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are done surgically and placed in your jawbone, where they will serve as the roots of any missing teeth you may have. Since the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants won’t slip, cause any bone damage or make noise when you chew or talk. Another advantage of choosing dental implants is that they won’t decay over time. They are designed to be a permanent tooth replacement.
One major benefit of implants is that you can’t get cavities within them. Another is that they look just like your natural teeth, so no matter if you have one or a dozen, no one but you will know you have them.
Dental implants can help these following issues:
- Resolve any joint pain or bite problems due to missing teeth
- Replace missing teeth without affecting surrounding teeth
- Restore your smile and confidence
- Help with chewing, speech and digestion due to missing teeth
- Support a bridge you already have
Tips for taking care of your dental implants:
Tip #1: Floss every day. Flossing is even more important than ever when you get dental implants. When you don’t floss, plaque can build up and that can lead to even more issues you don’t want to have to deal with. Almost 84% of Americans aren’t flossing regularly enough. Don’t skip on this daily staple.
Tip #2: Avoid smoking. Not only is smoking terrible for your overall health, but it is detrimental to any dental work you’ve had done, to include implants. Discoloration, decay, and oral diseases are all linked to smoking.
Tip #3: Stay away from harsh dental products. With your new implants, you will want to steer clear of strong mouthwashes. Use products designated for “sensitive” mouths as they work just as well. Mouthwash without alcohol is a great alternative.
Tip #4: Use a soft toothbrush. Nylon brushes are preferable after you get your implants because they come with bristles that are pliable and gentle. A Proxabrush is also a great option and helps to clean the hard-to-reach areas around your dental implants.
Tip #5: See your dentist regularly. Make sure to keep seeing your dentist regularly to avoid any other dental issues. Regular cleanings are crucial to maintaining your oral health, and can save you from painful and expensive tooth and gum problems down the line.
Once they’re fully healed and integrated with your jawbone, dental implants give you the chewing strength to enjoy all your favorite foods. However, it’s crucial to avoid certain foods for the first few weeks after they’re placed if you want your treatment to succeed.
Foods to avoid directly after getting implants:
- Tough foods (jerky/steak)
- Crunchy foods (kettle chips/popcorn)
- Sticky foods (taffy/caramel)
- Chewy foods (gummies)
- Spicy foods (salsa/peppers)
- Acidic foods (orange juice/tomatoes)
- Very hot liquids and food (coffee/soup)
After the first few weeks, you can go back to eating the same as you always have, just make sure to avoid hard foods and brush immediately after drinking coffee or wine and follow any additional instructions that your dentist provides.
Want to improve your smile?
Carrie Muzny DDS and Associates offer the highest-quality dental services for our patients in The Woodlands and surrounding areas. Our highly acclaimed dentists are not only exceptionally trained in modern preventative techniques, but also have attained academic honors and continue to refine their craft year after year in preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, surgical procedures, and cosmetic dentistry.
With our state-of-the-art technology and vast range of smile-perfecting procedures, we stay atop the field and deliver smiles as sunny as the state of Texas! We also help our patients navigate common myths about dental implants, ensuring you have the right information for your best oral health.
To let us help you get that perfect smile, contact us today. You can even request a virtual consultation!
