Dental implants have numerous advantages for your oral and general health, as your Philadelphia dental implants expert has discussed previously. Those advantages include a more natural look for your mouth, durability and stability, providing strong support for your facial structure.
If properly maintained, dental implants are a reliable, long-term solution for your mouth. But it is important to actively maintain dental implants, much as you would teeth, in order to ensure their longevity. This may seem obvious, but it is easy to assume that because dental implants are not real teeth, they do not require the same degree of care.
However, conscientious oral hygiene is vital for ensuring the full benefits of your dental implants. Such hygiene and regular dental visits are especially important during the first year of your dental implants.
Teeth Brushing: You should brush at least twice a day, which will prevent the growth of bacteria and protect your teeth from tooth decay and other oral diseases.
If you do not have an electric (or sonic) toothbrush, you should seriously consider acquiring one. Electric toothbrushes have been proven to clean teeth better, as well as be more efficient. Electric toothbrushes also do a better job at cleaning the harder-to-reach places in your mouth.
Moreover, the vibrations of electric toothbrushes may also be beneficial to your dental implants. Chewing stimulates the jawbone, helping it maintain its density, and the vibrations of an electric toothbrush are similar to chewing.
Flossing: Even an electric toothbrush is no substitution for flossing. It is essential that you use dental floss or a water flosser regularly to remove plaque and food debris trapped between the teeth and implants. Flossing is equally vital for curbing harmful bacteria, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Regular Dental Visits: Just like teeth, dental implants need to be checked and cleaned consistently. Regular dental examinations will also ensure that your dentist is able to follow the development of your implants, and head off problems by spotting and dealing with them early.
Teeth cleaning by a dental professional continues to be just as essential for teeth and gum health. In the first year after your dental implant procedure, make sure your teeth are cleaned four times. Thereafter, until your dental professional advises otherwise, quarterly cleaning may be warranted in order to help ensure that the soft mouth tissues are healthy. Each patient is unique, and will be advised accordingly.
If your dental implants are due for a cleaning, or if you have any questions about maintaining your dental implants, please visit my Bala Cynwyd office.
Take the Next Step
Want to learn if a Dental Implants is right for you? Schedule a consultation at Dr. Farole’s Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center in Bala Cynwyd, PA by giving us a call at (610) 668-3300 today.
Sources
Raleigh Dentist
Solutions Dental Implants
Oral Surgery of Utah
