McCabe Dental offers dental implants as a durable solution for replacing missing teeth, helping you keep a confident, natural-looking smile. Although implants are resistant to the usual wear and tear of natural teeth, proper care is still essential to ensure their longevity and prevent potential dental issues. Recognizing the important role your implants play, we've created a comprehensive guide on how to care for your dental implants in Ocean Springs.
Why Your Implants Need Regular Care
Most dental implants are made from porcelain and titanium, meaning they are not subject to the same wear and tear as natural teeth. However, this does not absolve you from taking care of them, although your implant is unlikely to develop a cavity. It is still surrounded by organic bone and gum tissue that have to be healthy to support the implant. Plaque and bacteria may build up around the implant, which may cause implant failure and other oral complications such as gum disease and peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant).
How to Take Care of Your Implants
Brush Twice a Day
Different dental practitioners have emphasized over and over again the importance of brushing at least twice a day, and it is no different for your implants. Always go for soft-bristle toothbrushes to avoid further damaging your teeth or irritating the gums while brushing. Gently brush around the implant areas, ensuring you remove all food particles and plaque. If your implants are fairly new, use minimal force to limit the risk of dislodging them. You may also have to consider a non-abrasive toothpaste that won't wear down your teeth or the implant's surface.
Floss Daily
Another standard care routine from the dental book: Floss at least once a day. The primary cause of dental issues, such as peri-implantitis, is the accumulation of food and plaque between natural teeth and dental implants, which increases the risk of infection. Use a water flosser or an implant-safe flossing technique to remove small pieces of debris between your teeth. The trick here is cleaning your teeth without damaging the implant, and there are plenty of products on the market to help you do this, such as Tepe.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwash
Regularly rinsing with mouthwash kills bacteria and small microorganisms, reducing the risk of gum infection and keeping your breath fresh. Antiseptic formula is the best option to avoid irritation. You may also want to confirm with your dentist whether your mouthwash choice will impact the health of your implants or react with them. Look to use mouthwash after brushing and flossing to add an extra layer of protection to your teeth and implants.
Advantages of Routine Dental Visits for Implants in Ocean Springs
Just like with dental care, implant care will necessitate regular dental visits. During this time, the dentist will check the condition of your dental implants, gums, and teeth. Any issues that can potentially affect your implants in the long run will be identified and caught before they worsen. You should opt for a dental visit at least twice after six months, immediately after installing your implants, or at least twice a year after the initial installation period has passed.
Looking for Implant Care?
Oral care for your implants is crucial for their longevity and your dental health. Here at McCabe Dental, we offer expert dental implants in Ocean Springs to ensure your smile is dazzling for years. With years of experience in dental work, our procedures for oral care of implants are well-designed and measured to suit new or existing implants. Visit us today to learn more about implant care.