One of the main reasons why dental implants have exploded in popularity in recent years is their ability to last for decades to come. In fact, they could even provide you with a whole lifetime of having a sturdy, aesthetically pleasing smile – but only if you take proper care of them. Fortunately, implant aftercare is actually pretty straightforward. Keep reading below to learn the easy steps required to make sure your dental implants in St. Albans last a lifetime.
Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria could infiltrate the tissue supporting your implants and wreak havoc. In fact, one of the most common reasons for implant failure is peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that develops around dental implants. The good news is that oral hygiene with dental implants is fairly simple. Brush your restoration like you would your natural teeth. Flossing around your restoration may be little more complicated, but our dentists can recommend products or techniques that can help.
In addition, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once daily can remove food particles and plaque from areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach. It also helps to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Doing so helps you produce enough saliva to wash away harmful germs.
Injury or trauma to your implants could damage the tissue supporting them, their restorations, or even your remaining natural teeth. To prevent this from occurring, it helps to wear a mouthguard during sporting events, even when practicing by yourself. Even solo physical activities like cycling and running could result in an injury that compromises your implants. Luckily, we offer custom-made mouthguards to protect your smile from physical force.
Another habit that could damage your implants is bruxism. This condition causes you to unconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth. Because it usually happens while sleeping, we have a solution: nightguards. These comfortable plastic trays are worn over the teeth at night to provide cushioning between the top and bottom arches and minimize damage to your implants.
Whether you’ve gotten one tooth or all of your pearly whites replaced with dental implants, it’s equally important to attend regular checkups with your dentist in St. Albans. We’ll not only examine and clean your remaining teeth, but we’ll also evaluate your implants and make sure they’re still in optimal condition. If we detect any signs of damage or infection, we may be able to treat them before they become serious.
Here at St. Albans Dental, our team is an expert on dental implants. If you have any further questions, or are interested in filling the gaps in your grin with a long-lasting and natural-looking solution, feel free to give us a call!