After getting dental implants, it is important to stick to your oral hygiene routine. Keeping your dental implants in good condition will prevent further dental issues from occurring. Learning how to care for dental implants will protect them from becoming loose or the need for more implants due to dead teeth. Taking proper care of implants refers to more than just brushing your teeth. Read below for more insight on how to care for dental implants properly.
1- Eat A Well Balanced Diet
The best way to ensure quality health is to eat a balanced diet. Eating protein, vegetables, fruits, and calcium-rich foods will help you maintain strong teeth. These foods have vitamins and minerals that the body needs to build new cells, including those needed for gums and enamel. Care for dental implants requires the vitamins and minerals found in a well-balanced diet to keep surrounding teeth and bones strong.
2- Avoid Excessive Alcohol And Tobacco Use
Excessive alcohol and tobacco use can have many negative effects on the body, but they can deteriorate your teeth. The acidic and corrosive nature of alcohol can cause you to lose enamel which is needed to keep your jaw bone intact. Excessive smoking and drinking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and painful inflammation. These health concerns either make you an un-eligible candidate for dental implants or shorten the lifespan of your current implants.
Those with high alcohol and tobacco consumption are at a higher risk for infections. The more infections you experience, the more painful your implants will be to install. Infections can also cause your real teeth to be removed, which can be difficult if you have multiple tooth implants or all-on-4 implants.
3- Wear A Mouthguard
Taking extra precautions to protect your implants from being jostled or dislodged is another way to care for them. Nightguards and mouthguards will increase the longevity of your implants. Grinding your teeth in your sleep can wear down enamel and cause sensitivity. Playing sports can lead to hard impacts to the mouth and jaw. Dislodged teeth could lead to jaw deterioration or dislodged implants.
4- Use An Antimicrobial Mouthwash
Most mouthwashes are made with alcohol, but using one that is antimicrobial will be best for those with implants. These mouthwashes can reduce bacteria that lingers even after brushing and flossing. Antimicrobial mouthwash is known to reduce swelling and redness in the gums, prevent gum disease, and limit bad breath. Using the right mouthwash is best to care for dental implants in appearance and structural integrity.
5- Watch For Signs Of Damage
If you suspect that your implants have been damaged, it is best to see your dentist immediately. Care for dental implants should be done by a dentist or other oral health professional. Some small damage can be remedied, but if it is left untreated for too long, the whole implant could need to be replaced. Some of the common signs of oral trauma and damaged implants include:
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Sharp pains
- Sensitive teeth
- Loose implants
- Cracked implants
- Consistent bad breath
Different Implant Options From Total Arch
Total Arch Dental Implants offers different implant options to serve many unique clients. While most patients have to wait months to get implants installed, Total Arch can provide you with a new smile and better confidence in just 24 hours! We offer All-on-4 implants, multiple tooth implants, zygomatic implants, sinus augmentation, dentures, and more.
Whether you have lost teeth, are looking to improve your smile, or are worried about jaw deterioration, we have implants that can help. Our team has been offering oral care for many years. Our periodontist, Dr. Weisner has over 10 years of running his own practice and treats every patient with the utmost respect. We offer pre-op and post-op checkups to ensure that your implants are working for you. Reach out to us to get the process started on your new teeth today!