Dental Implant Strathfield – Practical Guidelines
Dental implants are a durable and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Proper care is essential to ensure the longevity and success of your dental implants. This page offers informative guidelines for maintaining your dental implants.
1. Oral Hygiene:
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for the ongoing health of your dental implants. While implants cannot suffer decay, they can accumulate plaque and bacteria. This can lead to gum disease, which means the loss of both natural and implant teeth. Brush your teeth, including the implant crowns or prosthetics, at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste. And floss daily to clean between the teeth and around the implants.
2. Flossing Techniques:
Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean around the implant posts and the surrounding gums. Gently insert the floss between the teeth and move it in a back-and-forth motion. Be cautious not to pull or force the floss, as this can damage the gums.
It might be best to use toothpaste or anti-bacteria mouthwash before flossing. This is because flossing may initially cause bleeding, and we do not want bad bacteria from our mouth getting into our bloodstream. Toothpaste or mouthwash will kill any bad bacteria before we start to floss.
3. Regular Dental Check-ups:
Schedule regular check-ups with your dentist, typically every six months or as recommended. These appointments allow your dentist to monitor the condition of your dental implants, assess your oral health, and identify any potential issues early on.
4. Avoid Harmful Habits:
Refrain from habits that can potentially damage your dental implants, such as biting on hard objects (e.g., ice, pens), clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism), and using your teeth to open packages.
5. Balanced Diet:
Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Adequate nutrition supports overall oral health and healing, which is essential for the success of dental implant surgery.
6. Tobacco and Alcohol:
Avoid tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption, as these can negatively impact the healing process and increase the risk of complications. Some people are unable to receive implants due to the past effects of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
7. Mouthwash and Oral Rinses:
Use alcohol-free, antimicrobial mouthwash as directed by your dentist. This can help reduce bacteria in your mouth and promote gum health without compromising the implant’s stability. Mouthwashes with alcohol, which are now less common, have been shown to cause dry mouth and may be linked to cancer.
8. Address Concerns Promptly:
If you experience any discomfort, pain, or changes around your dental implants, contact your dentist immediately. Early intervention can prevent potential complications and ensure your implant’s stability.
9. Consider Nightguards:
If you have a history of bruxism (teeth grinding), discuss the use of a nightguard with your dentist. A custom nightguard can protect your dental implants and natural teeth from excessive forces during sleep.
10. Follow Post-Operative Instructions:
After implant surgery, carefully follow the post-operative instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon. This may include recommendations for pain management, oral care, and diet during the initial healing period.
Dental Implant Strathfield
Caring for dental implants basically requires the same good habits we require for looking after our natural teeth. Diligent twice daily brushing and one a day flossing applies to everybody. Diet changes and use of mouthguard at night can be useful for some people.
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