We know it’s exciting! Getting your dental implants in Kansas City may have taken a little while to heal, but now that you have your dental prosthetic installed, you finally have a complete smile again. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your life, one of restored confidence and health! You’ve taken the initiative to care about your oral and overall health, now it’s time to maintain these awesome results with the proper dental care. Dr. Michael C. Byars of Byars Dental wants you to know how to care for your dental implants properly so they can last for years to come.
How long can I expect my dental implants to last?
Did you know the success rate of dental implant procedures rests at least 95%? Dental implants are one of the most successful, lasting, and natural looking/feeling tooth replacement option thus far. When they are properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. It’s still important to remember that while dental implants are technically a permanent restoration, maintaining a healthy jawbone, a durable dental prosthetic, and strong gums are factors that affect their longevity. The best way to prevent a dental implant from failing is to follow these tips from your implant dentist in Kansas City.
Maintain good oral hygiene at home.
The beautiful thing about dental implants is that they really do mimic your natural teeth. Just because your body didn’t naturally create them, you need to maintain them just as your permanent teeth. That means brushing twice a day is still mandatory.
It can be difficult to floss and clean under fixed implant dentures and bridges. You can routinely take them out to make flossing easier. This will help to remove dangerous bacteria from your natural teeth and around the are your implant was placed.
We recommend adding tools if you need them.
Several types of cleaning aids are used for sterilizing your dental implant. If you can’t seem to floss normally, clean between your teeth with either interdental brushes (brushes for small or hard to reach areas) or even an oral irrigator or water pik. The surfaces of your dental implants can be easily scratched or chipped if you’re not careful, so we prefer that patients invest in maintaining their teeth replacements with additional tools.
If you didn’t use mouthwash before, practice using it now.
Antimicrobial mouthwashes are proven to kill bacteria in the mouth. Mouthwash helps to decrease gum inflammation when used twice a day after you brush and floss your teeth. Rinsing with mouthwash is particularly helpful when you have a dental implant that is in a hard-to-reach area.
Try to eat a healthier diet.
Dental implants are a great restorative option because they help rebuild a healthy jaw bone. They also help you eat harder, crunchier foods like raw veggies. To maintain your jaws strength and durability, it is important that you are feeding your body the right nutrients to keep it healthy. You should incorporate foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin C, and raw crunchy vegetables and fruit to exercise your jaw with consistent chewing.
Visit Byars Dental Regularly
Dental implants can be a life-changing solution, but you could end up with missing teeth again if you don’t take proper care of them. A major part of an excellent dental treatment plan is visiting our Byars Dental practice for checkups and professional cleanings. This way, we can spot issues with your dental implants and address them before they become too serious. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.