Maintaining your Dental Implants

There are many situations where teeth could be lost. The patient could be injured in an accident or sporting incident, may have a long term health condition or may lose their tooth due to poor dental hygiene or care. It is not uncommon for an adult to have some missing teeth but over time, lost teeth could cause a problem for them as they lose the ability to talk or eat properly.

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Many dentists use implants as replacement for missing teeth. However, in order for the patient to enjoy continued use of their implant, there is a great deal of maintenance which needs to be done.

This maintenance will ensure that the implant, together with the surrounding area of the mouth and gums remains healthy and free of any further disease or cavity.

• Hygiene

With the right daily hygiene, there is no reason why a dental implant won’t last indefinitely. Once it has been fitted, finished and has integrated with the bone inside the jaw, it should be treated just as a normal tooth would be. This means brushing twice daily and after meals, flossing and the use of mouth wash. Many dental professionals now recommend the use of an electrical toothbrush which can simply reach into more surfaces than brushing manually, as well as brushing faster and ridding the mouth of more harmful bacteria.

They also recommend limiting sweet and sugary foods and drinks, or at the very least ingesting all sugary treats in one session then brushing the teeth afterwards.

• Impact

Implants are only successful as long as they remain fused to the bone in the jaw. If this fusion fails, the implant may fail. Therefore, it is essential that the patient is careful with the foods they eat, the sports they do and to reduce any excess chewing or teeth grinding.

• Infection

Under normal circumstances, an infection can be extremely painful but with implants, they can be exceptionally so and can result in the failure of the implant altogether. Therefore, it is necessary for the patient to attend a dental implant clinic on a regular basis to ensure that any and all bacteria and plaque are removed safely and thoroughly. Dental hygiene appointments should take place ideally every 3 – 6 months, although a dental professional may recommend more regular  appointments once an implant has been fitted.

• Health

General body health can have a great affect on dental health. Some conditions such as heart problems, diabetes or thyroid conditions can have an adverse effect on dental health if those conditions aren’t managed properly.

If you have any concerns over your oral health then it is always best to speak to your dentist, or dental nurse. They are best placed to provide you with any advice, guidance or treatment you may need.