Dental implants are one of the best options for replacing lost teeth. Implants function just like your natural teeth, allowing you to avoid bone loss and giving you full use of your jaw when chewing. After getting dental implants in Albion, you must take care of them as you would your natural teeth, but what does that mean? Albion Family Dental offers some tips to help you achieve long-lasting results.
Focus on Oral Hygiene After Getting Dental Implants in Albion
Once you receive your dental implants, you need to focus on excellent oral health maintenance. To reduce the bacteria that can cause tooth rot and could result in root canals and other procedures, you must brush your teeth at least twice a day.[1] It’s not enough to quickly pass a brush over your teeth — you must brush for four minutes.
People often assume that flossing once a day is enough. However, at Albion Family Dental, we recommend doing so twice a day to ensure that no food particles and plaque remain between your teeth.
Improve Your Diet
What you eat has a significant impact on your overall health as well as on promoting healthy teeth. Your diet should consist mainly of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Occasionally, you can have sugary foods, but you should understand that sugar allows bacteria to flourish, leading to cavities and, potentially, gum disease.
You want to stay away from acidic foods, too. These can wear down your enamel and damage dental implants. If you eat or drink sugary or acidic substances, rinse your mouth to remove any residue.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a dangerous habit to have. The nicotine in tobacco impacts your immune system and constricts blood flow because it causes blood vessel damage.[2] If you’ve just gotten dental implants, this lack of blood flow can slow the healing process and impact the success of the implant. If your immune system is affected, bacteria can spread, potentially leading to more oral health issues.
Drink Water
Your saliva doesn’t just help you digest food — it also protects your oral structures from bacteria and can remineralize tooth enamel. Your saliva contains phosphorus, calcium, fluoride, and a variety of other minerals that your teeth need to remain strong and resistant to bacteria.[3]
Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol or consume them in moderation, as they can quickly dehydrate you. You should also avoid drinking milk, as it can encourage bacterial growth.
Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods
Dental implants are made of strong materials, but they can still chip like natural teeth. Chewing hard candies or ice can put a lot of pressure on the implants. Sticky foods, too, can be a concern, especially soon after getting the implant. If the jawbone hasn’t fully fused into the implant, something very sticky can move or eventually dislodge the implant, requiring you to get further dental care.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
You need regular checkups to ensure the dental implants are in good shape while simultaneously getting an overall examination of your oral structures. Dental professionals can catch even the most subtle signs that point towards cavities or even gum disease. Make sure you schedule your dental appointments once every six months or as recommended by your dental professional.
Dental Implants in Albion: Getting Trusted Dental Services
Sometimes, people think of dental implants as a cosmetic dentistry option. While it’s true that dental implants look as natural as your teeth and allow you to smile without worrying about gaps, they provide much more than a great smile. Because dental implants stimulate jawbone growth by mimicking a tooth root, they prevent the kind of bone loss that can result in further dental problems.
They also give you the chance to use your full jaw strength when you chew. That’s not possible if you get dentures. Because dental implants are inserted into your jawbone, they offer the full power of your bite.
At Albion Family Dental, we offer a variety of dental services to help you if you’ve suffered tooth loss. Contact our team by calling 585-589-9044 to schedule an appointment today!
Sources:
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
[2] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart/smoking
[3] https://www.thejpd.org/article/S0022-3913(01)54032-9/fulltext