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How To Properly Care for Your Dental Implants

2020.11.28
pantelis

Dental implants have become a very popular treatment option for the replacement of missing teeth. This is because they look and function like natural teeth and can also be used to stabilize an entire set of dentures, ending worries about the inability to chew properly or dentures coming loose or even slipping out of the mouth. However, since they are not inexpensive, it is wise to take proper care of dental implants to ensure their longevity. Dr. Beeram, at Beach Grove Dental Tsawwassen, would like to share some advice to help you maintain them for as long as possible.

Simple Ways to Take Care of Your Dental Implants

You should treat your dental implants as if they were natural teeth. This means that you need to brush with a soft nylon brush and floss at least twice a day (preferably after every meal). Also, keep in mind that abrasive products should be avoided since they can cause discomfort. This will not only protect your teeth but your gums as well from bacterial decay and periodontal disease. Given that the crowns of your implants are fabricated from inorganic material they will not be susceptible to cavities but your implant should be checked by scheduling your regular dental visits.

Protecting Dental Implants from Bacterial

Even Though the crowns of implants may be inorganic, they can still develop plaque and calculus which can affect your tooth structure. What’s worse, the damage may not only occur to the periodontium in which the implant is placed but also the implant, as well. This can occur because the bacteria that infest the tartar has the ability to excrete acid that damages bodily tissues and some inorganic materials. Dr. Beeram can help you prevent this from happening by prescribing special brushes that allow patients to clean the perimeter of the implant thoroughly. It’s important to brush under and around the crown and use a nylon coated interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach places and reduce the risk of peri-implantitis. It is also helpful if you use a water flosser/oral irrigator to remove bacteria in pocket depths. With regular dental visits, dentists and dental hygienists can also perform this sort of cleaning to prevent bacteria from damaging your implants.

Bi-Annual Checkups 

By visiting Dr. Beeram twice a year, he can perform a probe of your dental implants, as part of the maintenance procedure, to assess the health of your periodontium and the implant. Dr. Beeram may also perform a radiographic assessment of your implants’ health to examine their integration into your jawbone.

Regular Visits to Your Hygienist

Visiting your dental hygienist on a regular basis is also vital in helping maintain your gums and dental implants disease-free. It is important, however, that your hygienist uses special scalers made of plastics and resins to thoroughly clean your dental implants to avoid scratching or damaging your crowns.

If you have dental implants or are considering having dental implants installed, book your consultation with Dr. Beeram to find more about the proper maintenance of dental implants and if they are the right option for you. Call us at 604-373-0678 or contact us online today.