Dental implants offer so many benefits for patients because they closely mimic your natural tooth. You will enjoy eating your favorite foods again with ease and no one will ever know you were missing a tooth because your implant blends flawlessly with your smile. Implants can also offer excellent longevity as they can potentially last for a lifetime with the right care. Here’s what you should know about making the most of your dental implants in Oklahoma City.
Consistent Home Care
Brushing and flossing around your implant tooth is very important since infection is your implant’s number one enemy. The good news is that brushing and flossing is easy since your implant is just like your natural teeth.
Be sure to use a soft bristle brush so you don’t scratch the porcelain of your implant crown. You may also want to invest in an electric toothbrush, which does the hard work of brushing for you.
Keeping your neighboring teeth clean and healthy also helps to protect your implant from the bacteria and plaque that causes tooth decay and can lead to an infection.
Regular Visits to Your Dentist
Visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings becomes even more important when you have a dental implant. Your dentist will use yearly X-rays to monitor the health of your implant and your hygienist will clean your teeth to remove the excess plaque that can cause an infection.
If there are any potential issues with your implant, your dentist will be able to detect the problems early on.
Protect Your Teeth
You should take the same precautions with your implant tooth that you would with your natural teeth such as avoiding excess sugars that can cause decay and wearing protective mouth guards when participating in sports.
If you suffer from bruxism, or clenching and grinding your teeth at night, you should also talk with your dentist about wearing a night guard while you sleep. As the powerful biting forces that are exerted during grinding can damage your natural teeth, they can also negatively impact your implant and result in failure.
Monitor Your Diet
While it’s true that your implant crown is not susceptible to tooth decay or cavities, this doesn’t mean that you are free to eat and drink sugary foods and beverages at your leisure. Excess sugar fuels the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, which are both detrimental to the health of your dental implant.
Maintaining a healthy diet that is well balanced and high in fruits and vegetables will not only protect your natural teeth, but also the health of your implant.
Do you have more questions? Give your dentist in Oklahoma City a call today to learn more about maintaining your oral health and protecting your dental implants.
About the Author
For over thirty years, Dr. Don Swearingen has been providing comprehensive care to patients in Oklahoma City. Our patients love the personalized attention they receive in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
If you would like to contact Dr. Swearingen, he can be reached by calling 405-751-8092 or through his website.