Congratulations! You’ve taken the first great step to correcting your smile by getting dental implants in Waco. This is the beginning of a new chapter in your life, the new beginning because of your restored health. Not only have you boosted your confidence to a new level, but you can enjoy the foods you’ve always loved and speak without any difficulty. 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. Rick Cofer at Premier Family Dental wants you to have the information you need to keep your dental implants function and appealing for years to come.
How long should my dental implants last?
Dental implants are hands-down the most effective tooth replacement option available today with a success rate of 95%! 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 and strong dental prosthetic are two factors that depend on you to keep them durable. The best way to prevent a dental implant from failing is to follow these tips from your Waco dentist.
1. Continue to brush and floss regularly.
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.
2. It’s okay to use additional tools.
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 (floss with water). The surfaces of your dental implants can be easily scratched, so we actually prefer that patients invest in maintaining their teeth replacements with additional tools.
3. Rinse with Mouthwash.
Mouthwash, especially antimicrobial washes, are proven to kill bacteria in the mouth. Mouthwash also decreases gum inflammation when used twice a day alongside your brushing and flossing routine. Rinsing with mouthwash is particularly helpful when you have a dental implant that is in a hard-to-reach area.
4. Maintain a healthy diet.
Dental implants are a great restorative option because they help rebuild a healthy jaw bone. 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 veggies to exercise your jaw with consistent chewing.
5. Visit your implant dentist in Waco.
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 Premier Family Dental office for checkups and professional cleanings. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.