Dental Implant Care
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, few options are as tried and true as dental implants. Boasting impressive success rates of up to 98 percent, dental implants are an effective treatment for tooth loss.
Dental implants require regular care and attention for optimal results. At our Edmonton, AB, dental practice, Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky and our team will guide you through the process of keeping your implants in good condition for years to come.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The first step is to do what we always recommend: brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. This goes a long way to keeping your gums healthy.
We recommend the following for cleaning your implants:
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles instead of hard-bristle toothbrush
- Use low-abrasive toothpaste
- Use antimicrobial mouthwash
Clean Your Implant-Supported Denture
If you have implant-supported overdentures, be sure to clean them frequently. Plaque and tartar can easily become trapped between the prosthesis and your gums. Use an interproximal brush to remove these deposits and other debris.
Be sure to use a denture cleaner as recommended by our team, and to soak your denture as directed.
Protect Against Trauma
Hard foods can be the bane of crowns and dental implants. We recommend avoiding extremely hard foods as much as possible to prolong the life of your crowns and implants.
Stay vigilant when it comes to these food items:
- Fruit with stones or pits (e.g., cherries, peaches)
- Pitted olives
- Hard candies
- Pistachios or sunflower shells
- Unpopped kernels of popcorn
Prolonging the Life of Implant and Restorations
A number of conditions can impact the stability of your dental implants. Gum disease with dental implants in place can lead to a condition known as peri-implantitis. This is an inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the dental implant.
To prolong the life and stability of your implants and your implant restorations, we recommend avoiding the following:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco: Use of tobacco products increases your risk of periodontal disease.
- Over-the-counter metal dental tools: Metal tolls can scratch the surface of your crowns, creating tiny pockets for bacteria to accumulate in.
- Chewing ice: The hardness of ice can be problematic for implants and crowns, increasing the risk of fractures.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Dr. Podilsky recommends visiting our Edmonton dental practice regularly. Most patients will simply need cleanings and exams every six months. Some patients may require more frequent checkups, particularly those who face higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. During these visits, we will check for any damage to the implants, restorations, surrounding teeth, and gum tissue.
We will also use special care when cleaning your dental implants. We use instruments made of plastic and resin, so your implants do not become damaged.
Schedule an Appointment Today
At our Edmonton dental practice, we pride ourselves on meticulous, compassionate dentistry that puts the needs of patients first. We would be happy to answer all questions and address any concerns you may have about implant dentistry. You can schedule an appointment online today or call us at (780) 428-6846.