If you lose a tooth due to an accident or decay, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. You may even have trouble chewing your food or feel pain when you eat. If this describes you, then you should consider a dental implant. Dental implants are a safe and effective way to restore your smile using prostheses.
Your dentist will first install a titanium rod through your gums into your jaw for stability. Later, a tooth-colored implant will be screwed into the rod after the healing process has been completed. The result is a dental implant that is indistinguishable from your natural teeth. However, you still have to take good care of your new implant if you want it to last. Here are four tips to help you keep your dental implant in excellent condition:
1. Use the right toothpaste.
Toothpaste that is too abrasive can damage the surface of your dental implant. According to The National Magazine for Dental Hygiene Professionals, you should avoid toothpaste that contains baking soda or other whitening ingredients, since they can scratch your implant. If you have any questions or concerns about specific kinds of toothpaste, you can ask your dentist for their expert opinion.
2. Brush your implant twice daily.
For the most part, you can take care of your implant just like you take care of your other teeth. You should brush it at least twice per day. This will help you avoid plaque buildup. While your implant can't get cavities like a real tooth, you can still get gum disease due to tartar and bacteria. That's why good oral hygiene is still important when you have an implant.
3. Remember to floss.
Take care to floss around your implant while you're flossing the rest of your teeth. This will help you clear away any food particles or bacteria that are lingering around your implant. It's important to keep your implant clean, since it's a foreign object in your body that could be prone to infection without the proper care. If you don't like flossing, you can use a water irrigator as an alternative.
4. See your dentist if you have any concerns.
If you notice any redness or inflammation around the base of your implant, that could be a sign of infection. Make sure to call your dentist to make an appointment right away if you notice any of these symptoms or if you notice any other changes that concern you.
Share11 January 2019
Do you remember the last time you looked at your smile and really loved what you saw? A few years ago I started spending more time analyzing my appearance, and I noticed that my teeth were seriously lacking. I knew that I had to do something to improve the situation, so I began focusing on loving my smile by getting some work done. I started talking with a dentist about how he could help, and it was really incredible to see the simple difference that he was able to make. Within a few years, my smile looked and felt completely different, and I was really pleased with the results. Check out this blog for great information on making your smile more beautiful.
