10 Things You Shouldn’t Do to Your Dental Implants
What’s The Best Way To Care For Your Dental Implants?
Essential Care Practices for Dental Implants
- Regular Brushing and Flossing: Just like natural teeth, implants require daily brushing and flossing to prevent plaque buildup. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Use of Antibacterial Mouthwash: Incorporating an antibacterial mouthwash into your daily routine helps reduce the risk of infection around the implant area.
- Routine Dental Visits: Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups to monitor the condition of your implants.
Things to Avoid
- Hard or Sticky Foods: While implants are durable, consistently chewing on hard items like ice or sticky candies can cause damage.
- Smoking or Excessive Alcohol Consumption: These habits can impede healing post-surgery and increase the risk of implant failure over time.
- Ignoring Pain or Discomfort: Any persistent pain, swelling, or discomfort should be reported to your dentist immediately.
Cost Ranges
The cost of dental implants can vary widely depending on the complexity of the procedure, the number of implants needed, and geographical location. On average, you can expect to pay between $3,000 to $5,000 per implant, which may not include additional costs like bone grafts or extractions.
FAQs
- How long do dental implants last? With proper care, dental implants can last 15-25 years or more.
- Can I whiten my dental implants? No, dental implants cannot be whitened. It's important to maintain oral hygiene to keep them looking their best.
- Are implants covered by insurance? Coverage varies, so it's crucial to check with your insurance provider regarding specifics related to dental implants.
Local Tips
If you're considering dental implants, consult with a local dental specialist who has a track record of successful implant procedures. Seeking recommendations from friends or reading online reviews can help you find a reputable provider. Additionally, some dental schools offer lower-cost options performed by supervised students, which can be a budget-friendly choice.
With dental implants, you can enjoy the freedom of eating anything and everything you want. The question is, how should you care for them? In this article, we’ll explore the best way to care for your dental implants, so that you can enjoy them for years to come.
Things You Shouldn’t Do to Your Implants
If you have dental implants, you’ll want to take good care of them to ensure they last for many years. While implants are very durable, there are still some things you should avoid doing to them. Here are four things you shouldn’t do to your implants:
- Don’t neglect your oral hygiene. Just because you have dental implants doesn’t mean you can slack off on your oral hygiene. Be sure to brush and floss regularly and see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Neglecting your oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, which can cause your implants to fail.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools. Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools, and this is especially true for dental implants. Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bottles, and don’t bite your nails. These habits can put unnecessary stress on your implant posts, which can eventually lead to them breaking or coming loose.
- Don’t chew on hard foods. Just like your natural teeth, you need to be careful what you chew on with your dental implants. Avoid hard candies, ice, and crunchy foods. These habits can create unnecessary pressure on your posts, which can eventually lead to them breaking or coming loose.
- Don’t grind your teeth when you sleep. This is one of the most common causes of dental implant failure! If you grind your teeth at night, it can cause premature wear and tear on your posts and blanks that hold the implants in place.
- Don’t eat sticky foods with your new implants. Sticky foods like caramel or taffy can get stuck in the grooves of an implant post and create a dangerous situation for oral health! Always take out your dentures before eating something sticky, and rinse them off before reinserting them into your mouth after eating sticky foods to prevent this .
- Don’t use a straw when drinking through an implant in one of your upper teeth. If you use a straw to drink, it can put additional pressure on the posts of the implants and possibly cause them to break. Instead, take out your dentures or wear a temporary denture before drinking so that you don’t put unnecessary stress on your new implants.
- Don’t floss around your implant posts too hard or with metal flossers. Damaging the post with too much pressure or regular metal floss can damage the gum tissue around your dental implant and cause bleeding, pain and infection.
- Avoid caffeine and carbonated beverages for several days after surgery. Both of these can irritate your mouth and cause inflammation and swelling.
- Take medication as directed by your doctor – always follow his or her instructions; they may be different than what you have been doing before surgery.
- Don’t smoke – smoking after oral implant placement can harm your healing process and increase the risk of complications, such as inflammation around the specific area of the implant, decay or infection in adjacent teeth, gum recession and bone loss near implants.
Things to Consider Doing with Your Implants
If you have dental implants, it is important to take care of them just like you would your natural teeth. Here are some things to consider doing in order to keep your implants healthy and looking their best:
- Brushing and flossing regularly – Just like with natural teeth, you need to brush and floss your implants daily in order to remove plaque and bacteria. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle flossing motions.
- Avoiding hard foods – Chewing hard foods can put unnecessary pressure on your implants, which can lead to damage. Therefore, it is best to stick to softer foods.
- Visiting the dentist regularly – You should see your dentist at least once a year for a checkup and cleaning. During these appointments, your dentist will check for any signs of implant failure or infection.
- Quitting smoking – Smoking is bad for your overall health, but it is especially harmful to dental implants. Smoking can cause implant failure and increase the risk of infection. If you smoke, it is best to quit in order to protect your implants.
How To Take Care of Your Implants
Your dental implants are a significant investment in your oral health, so it’s important to take care of them. Here are some tips on how to best care for your implants:
-Brush and floss regularly. Just like with your natural teeth, you need to brush and floss your implants daily to remove plaque and bacteria. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle flossing motions.
-Visit your dentist regularly. You should see your dentist at least once a year for a cleaning and checkup. During these appointments, your dentist will check for any signs of gum disease or other problems.
-Avoid hard foods. Avoid biting into hard foods, such as candy or ice, as this can damage your implants. If you do eat hard foods, be sure to bite them gently.
-Don’t smoke. Smoking can increase your risk of gum disease and other problems, so it’s best to avoid it altogether. If you do smoke, be sure to brush and floss extra carefully.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your implants healthy and looking great for years to come!
The Best Foods for Dental Health
When it comes to dental health, what you eat matters. Your diet can impact your teeth and gums in a number of ways, so it’s important to be mindful of the foods you consume. Here are some of the best foods for dental health:
Water: Water is essential for oral health. It helps wash away food and plaque from your teeth, and it also keeps your mouth hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially after meals.
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, and they’re also great for your teeth and gums. Foods that are high in fiber help scrub your teeth clean and promote gum health. Some great examples of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables include apples, carrots, and celery.
Cheese: Cheese is a surprising ally in the fight for dental health. It contains calcium, which is essential for strong teeth, and it also helps neutralize acid in the mouth that can damage tooth enamel.
Green tea: Green tea is packed with antioxidants that can help protect your teeth against damage. It also contains fluoride, which can help strengthen tooth enamel.
Conclusion
There are a few different things that you can do to care for your dental implants and ensure that they last as long as possible. First, be sure to brush and floss regularly to remove any plaque or bacteria that could cause damage. Secondly, avoid smoking or using tobacco products, as this can also lead to problems with your implants. Finally, see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings to keep them in top condition. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your beautiful smile for many years to come!
