Taking proper care of your new smile thanks to dental implants is vital for long-term success.
Good oral hygiene, regular dental checks and active maintenance, you could avoid complications that may lead to implant failure and gum disease.
At Taylor Dental Implants and Aesthetics in Robina, we want you to keep your dental implants for a lifetime, which is why we stress the importance of a strict oral hygiene practice at home and followed up with regular check-ups every 6 months. Below we have compiled a list of care instructions you can follow to help keep your implants in optimal shape.
Remove plaque built to avoid gum disease…
Good oral hygiene is the corner of a healthy mouth and it essential in caring for your new dental implants. Although a dental implant isn’t susceptible to plaque and tooth decay, it is essential that you maintain a proper oral care routine to avoid tooth decay, cavities and gum disease. Your natural teeth surrounding the implant are still subject to cavities which can cause a domino effect of tooth erosion over time.
Make time and Take your time….
For healthy teeth and implant success, it is important to take your time when cleaning your mouth. Always make time for your oral care. This means brushing your teeth at least 2 minutes a day to remove food particles and plaque build-up. Be gently when cleaning around your implant in a circular motion and don’t forget to massage your gums with your toothbrush.
Flossing is a very important step in removing as much plaque bacteria as possible from between your teeth and around your implant as well as keeping your gums healthy. We also recommend investing in an interdental brush to get the hard to reach places that your toothbrush may miss.
The dangers of implant failure…
Without proper care, you are also leaving yourself open to a list of harmful oral health issues.
If oral hygiene is inadequate, this can result in inflammation of the gums, also known as Peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is similar in nature to periodontitis as both diseases are caused by similar bacteria. Like periodontitis, peri-implantitis leads to a breakdown of the jawbone. If left untreated this can cause bone loss around the implant and possibly implant failure.
Types of dental implant failure
Infection – Poorly fitted fixtures or the use of inappropriate technique can cause persistent infection which will require the removal of the screw. Substandard fixtures are very common especially when the dentist does not have experience or if a cheaper type of implant is used.
Loose Implants – This is caused again by substandard fixtures, but it can also be caused if the implant is placed on a not so solid bone structure.
Nerve impairment – Without the use of proper techniques, it can cause to numbness, pain or persistent tingling sensation.
Here at Taylor Dental Implants and Aesthetics in Robina we firmly believe that preventive care is always the first defence against tooth decay and gum disease. If you want your dental implants to last a lifetime you need to take good care of your oral health by following a stringent oral care routine at home and visiting the dentist for regular dental check-ups.
To discover more about the dental implant procedures we offer at our Robina dental practice, or to arrange an appointment with one of our dedicated dentists, please contact us.