Oral Health with Dental Implants
Richland, WA
Your oral health is crucial for preventing serious issues like cavities and gum disease. However, what if you have already suffered tooth loss and had teeth replaced? Many more people are choosing to replace their missing teeth with dental implants. While they are becoming more mainstream, many patients are still confused about what they need to do to maintain their oral health. Implant & Periodontal Associates NW in Richland can help you to keep your mouth healthy when you have teeth replaced with dental implants.
Does My Oral Hygiene Routine Change when One Tooth Has Replaced?
When you have had a single tooth replaced with a dental implant, your oral hygiene routine should remain the same. For optimal oral health, brushing is recommended twice a day and flossing is recommended at least once a day. The great thing about dental implants is that they can be brushed and flossed exactly like your natural teeth. You can even use the same toothpaste you use on your teeth. When you floss, do not forget to clean along the sides of your implant as well.
What if I Have Had All of My Teeth Replaced?
If you have several teeth replaced with dental implants, even if you have all of your teeth replaced with dental implants for that matter, you still need to take good care of your mouth. You still need to brush twice daily and floss once daily. It is important that you floss with a bit of extra care, however. Dental implants do not have pain receptors as your natural teeth do. Therefore, they cannot tell you if you are flossing too hard. It would help if you also were careful with electric toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes that vibrate can affect the screws that hold your teeth in place. Use a regular soft-bristled toothbrush. If you want to use an electric one, use one that has a rotating head rather than one that vibrates.
The Importance of Proper Dental Implant Care for Your Oral Health
No matter if you have had one tooth replaced with an implant or all of your teeth replaced, proper care for your dental implants is essential for protecting your oral health. The ceramic crowns of your dental implants collect plaque and bacteria just like your real teeth. Over time, the plaque can harden into tartar as well. Without proper implant care, you can still develop gum disease, even if all of your teeth are artificial. If gum disease develops, and then goes untreated, your bone may become affected, which can then impact the stability and success of your dental implants.
Don't Forget Regular Dental Visits
In addition to taking care of your dental implants at home, you should still keep your regular biannual dental visits for cleanings and exams. During your visits, we can clean your dental implants in addition to your natural teeth and check for signs of different oral health conditions. Occasional dental x-rays can also allow us to monitor your jawbone so that we can assess its health. This then allows us to make sure that there are no issues with your dental implants.
Taking care of your implants, whether you have one or an entire mouth filled with them, is essential for keeping your mouth healthy and protecting the integrity of your implant treatment. Call Implant & Periodontal Associates NW in Richland at (509) 542-9111 today for more information. |
