How to Maintain Your Dental Implants

The decision to have a dental implant procedure takes courage and patience. After you’ve gazed in the mirror and realized gaps in your smile or severely decayed teeth have dimmed your appearance, making the decision to invest in dental implants is the wisest choice. Maintenance post-procedure is just as crucial to these lifelong teeth replacements, as is investing in your smile. Dr. Reger will guide you on the proper regimen once dental implants are in place.

The Basics

Because dental implants transform every aspect of your life, taking good care of your new natural-looking teeth are the insurance that continues your confidence and security. Below are basic habits to adopt once you leave the dentist’s chair:

• Brushing and Flossing – If these two basic cleaning techniques haven’t been included in your daily regimen after dental implant surgery and healing, there is no better time to begin. Once in the morning, and right before bedtime, using a soft toothbrush with zero aggravated strokes against your teeth is optimum. Flossing twice daily for the health of the gums will rid the teeth of bacteria and leftover food particles, which is essential as well.
• Pay Attention to Teeth-Staining Foods – If you haven’t already begun an elimination process of foods that stain your teeth (teas, coffee, beets, blueberries, red wine, curry, cranberry, sodas), it’ll benefit you to start as soon as possible. In fact, post dental implant procedure will be a new beginning to preserve the quality of your teeth by avoidance of these foods altogether. If unable to make a complete break from the teeth-staining culprits, try swishing water in your mouth after eating or drinking any of these foods or beverages.
• Drink Fluoridated Water – Fluoride in water lessens the onset of cavities and decreases the possibility of any further tooth decay or sensitivity. If you’ve had only a few teeth replaced with dental implants, continue drinking fluoridated water to benefit your smile and overall health in the long run.

Your smile is worth a thousand words. By receiving the dental implant procedure and all it entails, you’ve made the wisest step towards a productive life of quality relationships, work success, and the health of your whole body. You owe it to your self-care to place dental work on top of your list. In a nutshell, cleaning around implants differs from the maintenance of natural teeth, as each attaches to the surrounding bone and gums. The materials made for each dental implant are different from your natural teeth as well.

Points to Remember

1. Infection is the enemy – Bacteria still has the ability to collect on implant crowns and must be removed on a daily basis with proper home regimen practices, otherwise your attachment will loosen and inflammation will ensue.
2. Bone loss – If daily cleaning is avoided or performed haphazardly, the risk of developing an infection increases. Although dental implants are not susceptible to decay and help prevent bone loss, they are not immune to disease. Avoid having dental implant failure and losing additional bone loss with effective home care.
3. The role of the dental hygienist – Your dental hygienist plays an important role in keeping dental implants infection-free. They have to select the correct instruments for cleaning in order to monitor the nature of the debris collected on the teeth, the location of the deposits, the types of surfaces on which they accumulate, and the stubbornness with which they adhere. Their professional cleaning is key to dental implant maintenance.

At Dr. Reger’s office in San Antonio, TX, their continued care for your dental implants along with your own home protocols, is crucial to the longevity of your new teeth and smile. Once you leave Reger Family Dentistry, be prepared to have an extra spring in your step and a renewed confidence in your outward appearance. They are ready for your call!