Before dental implants came to the scene, the choices available to those experiencing tooth loss were not so great. Dentures, the most commonly used method to replace missing teeth, were unwieldy and quite inconvenient to use. Dental bridges that came next were a step in the right direction but were not quite there yet as existing teeth need to be modified to accommodate and anchor the bridge. Dental implants, where prosthetic teeth are implanted directly into the jawbone, are by far the best tooth replacement solution. They are made from durable porcelain, are immune to decay and, best of all, look and feel like natural teeth so those using them don’t have to be shy about smiling. Like natural teeth, however, they still need regular care in maintaining oral hygiene. It will do the gums no good if they are covered in plaque!
Here are some things to do to take care of the replacement teeth.
Brushing
Like taking care of natural teeth, dentists advise that brushing is an important part of implant as well as tooth and gum care. Brushing cleans off the majority of the plaque that builds up throughout the day and prevents them from hardening into tartar. However, vibrating electric toothbrushes should not be used as their action may loosen the screw on the inside of the implant.
Interdental Brushing and Flossing
Any flossing needs to be done with delicate precision as they may damage the seals on the implant which may then allow bacteria through to the bone. It is as bad as it sounds. Even so, it is still important to clean the interdental space near the root of the implant in order to get rid of built-up plaque and food particles trapped there. If this can’t be done on under bridges held up by implants, interdental brushes may be used to gently clean up those spaces.
Dental Checkup
One last but important part of implant care is to have checkups scheduled regularly with a dentist. This is to ensure that any problems with the implants do not go unnoticed and are rectified as soon as possible to minimize damages that might occur. Make sure that the dentist knows that there are implants to look out for.
In order to ensure that any implants to be had are of high quality, a trusted dentist that specializes in implants should be consulted. Cascades Dental is a dental clinic that offers dental implant services and more. Drop by their website at Cascadesdental.com for more information. You can also connect them on Facebook for more updates.