Taking Care Of Your Dental Implants
How To Care For Your Dental Implants
When we talk about replacing missing teeth, there is no better option than dental implants. Apart from being durable and long-lasting, dental implants feel, function, and look just like natural teeth. Furthermore, dental implants need minimal aftercare, unlike other tooth replacement options that require extensive maintenance. In fact, you can look after them just like how you look after your natural teeth. In this article, Dr. Taylor, our dentist at Maricopa Dental Center, explains how to look after your implant-supported to ensure their optimal function and esthetics. So, read on to find out more.
What is an Implant?
An implant is a cylindrical, screw-shaped fixture embedded into the jawbone - just like natural teeth - to serve as a replacement root. The best thing about dental implants is that they anchor themselves firmly within the jawbone like natural teeth and provide a solid foundation for the attachment of artificial teeth. Because dental implants Maricopa AZ are designed and shaped like natural tooth roots, they tend to last a lifetime, restore one’s smile, and allow one to eat and speak normally.
Dental implants Care
1. Immediate Implant Care After Surgery
There are certain things you need to take care of immediately after getting implants. First, you should avoid eating solid or very hot foods, which may affect the healing process. Secondly, you should apply an icepack over the affected side of the face; this helps in reducing the swelling and discomfort. Finally, your dentist Maricopa AZ may not place a restoration immediately after implant placement. This is to ensure that healing of the implant site occurs uninterrupted.
2. Long-term Implant Care
Once your implants have become fully anchored within the jawbone, your dentist will load it with a suitable prosthesis to replace your missing teeth. Now that your teeth have been restored with implants, there are specific measures you need to take to ensure that your implants remain functional throughout life.
- Oral Hygiene Maintenance - dental implants do not require special oral hygiene measures. Simply brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once a day, and you won’t have any problems with your natural or implant-supported teeth.
- Use a Soft-bristled Toothbrush - Dr. Taylor recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush for brushing your natural and implant-supported teeth. Using a toothbrush with hard bristles may cause gum recession and cause bone degradation around the implant.
- Use a Toothpaste with a Low Abrasive Content - you should use a low-abrasive toothpaste as it does not cause wear of the natural teeth or the implant coating.
- Visiting your Dentist Regularly - regular checkup visits help ensure optimal oral health and allow Dr. Taylor to check if there is an underlying issue with your implant-supported teeth and fix it before it causes permanent damage.
Dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. If you’re looking for an implant oral surgeon Maricopa AZ, Maricopa Dental Center is the place to go. We have state-of-the-art equipment and an experienced implant oral surgeon to give a beautiful and lasting smile with dental implants Maricopa AZ. So, book an appointment today and walk away with your dream smile.