How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene with Dental Implants

Dental implants have proven themselves as a reliable and safe form of teeth restoration. So, if you’re thinking of starting your journey with an implant or two, our dental implants specialist in Redmond WA wants you to understand a few things about oral hygiene and maintaining your dental work.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

If you had not already read about dental implants, it is essential to understand what they are. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant fuses with the bone, and a connector is placed on top of the implant. This connector holds a dental prosthetic like a dental crown, bridge, or denture.

A patient can have more than one implant. The number of implants required depends on the type of dental prosthetic being placed and the condition of the jawbone. Placing it can take anywhere between six to nine months since the implant needs to integrate with the bone.

Implants are popular because they are the only form of teeth restoration that replaces the tooth root. This helps to preserve the jawbone and prevents it from deteriorating. It also gives implants stability, so they feel and function like natural teeth.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene with Dental Implants

The oral hygiene requirements for dental implants are no different from natural teeth. Below are some oral hygiene tips for maintaining your oral health if you have dental implants:

Brush twice a day, for two minutes at a time.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends every individual to brush twice a day for optimal oral hygiene. This should include brushing the implants, just like your other teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your teeth’s enamel as well as the crown or denture attached to your implant.

Floss once a day.

Flossing is just as important for dental implants as it is for your natural teeth. Gently floss between your teeth and around the dental prosthetic to remove food particles and oral bacteria. If it is difficult for you to floss, consider using a water flosser. A water flosser uses a stream of pulsating water to help flush away oral bacteria and food particles.

Do not use alcohol-based products.

Alcohol-based oral rinses, mouthwashes, and toothpaste can be too harsh for oral implants. It can damage the dental prosthetic, making it less durable. To be safe, opt for oral products that are alcohol-free. You can also ask our dental implants specialist in Redmond WA for the most recommended products.

Choose low-abrasive toothpaste.

When brushing your teeth, use low-abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste can wear down the enamel on your natural teeth, and the crown or denture attached to the implant. Low-abrasive toothpaste is gentler and will help preserve your oral health.

Visit your dentist regularly.

It is always a good idea to visit your oral health care provider at least twice a year for check-ups and cleaning. This is to ensure oral problems are detected early on and prevent them from worsening. Plus, if you have an implant, they will check for the stability and health of the implant to avoid oral complications.

Stop bad oral habits that can damage your teeth and implant.

Habits such as smoking, chewing ice, using teeth as tools, and grinding your teeth can damage or wear down dental prosthetics. So if you do have any habits that may be detrimental to oral health, it is best to stop them.

Eat a balanced diet.

Having a balanced diet is crucial for oral health with or without implants. Eating healthy foods provides your oral tissues and teeth with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Avoid sugary, sticky, and acidic foods that can damage oral tissue and erode tooth enamel.

Why You Need to Take Care of Your Oral Health with Dental Implants

While it’s important to take good care of your mouth and teeth with or without implants, this dental work can still get affected by oral health problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. For instance, inflammation can cause the stability of your implant to become problematic. This is called peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis happens when you catch periodontitis near the implant. It can cause the soft and hard tissues around it to become inflamed and irritated. So, if you have implants, make sure to maintain oral hygiene to prevent oral problems like this one from occurring.

Consult a Dental Implants Specialist – Redmond WA

 

Sunrise Dental is the best oral health care provider offering dental implant services to patients in Redmond, Washington, and the surrounding areas. Our dentists specialize in delivering high-quality restorative procedures and appliances, including dental implants.

Dr. Kunal Narang has been working diligently for years and has successfully placed numerous implants. We use the latest technology available to ensure that every procedure is done quickly, efficiently, and with as little discomfort as possible. We also offer an all-on-four dental implant procedure for patients with multiple missing teeth.

Contact Sunrise Dental of Redmond today to know how you can take better care of your oral health with dental implants. You can also visit our website to schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Tags: Dental implants in Redmond, Dental Services for Redmond, dentist in redmond, Dentist in Redmond WA