A missing tooth no longer has to impact your dental health, function, and smile. Dental implants have come a long way, helping you fill the gap with a natural-looking, feeling, and functioning tooth. Modern dental implants Sunnyvale is a viable option even for patients with gum health issues. While dental implants are more robust than your natural teeth, they still need care during and after successful implantation. Among the straightforward dental implant care tips for smoother implantation and keeping them in shape for an extended period include the following:
Alcohol moderation and smoking cessation
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning its consumption leads to increased fluid loss. Hydration after a dental implant procedure is critical to facilitate better recovery, emphasizing the need to cut back or avoid alcohol and items such as caffeinated drinks. Smoking results in oxygen deprivation, which slows healing. Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco consumption slows healing, exposing you to more risks of infections and failed dental implants, emphasizing the need to quit or at least moderate their use.
Dental use
Dental implants are sturdier than your teeth but not impervious to damage. Habits like chewing on hard food shortly after the procedure can irritate the wound and slow healing. After successful implantation, you should stick to softer and less sticky food. It would be best if you also avoided habits like using your teeth to open bottles or anything that is not chewing your food. This minimizes the chances of cracking, chipping, or speeding up the implant’s wear, ensuring they serve you for an extended period.
Oral hygiene
The artificial teeth sit on your gums. While they can’t get cavities, they need healthy gum to stay put for years. Ora hygiene helps you keep dental issues, including gum disease, at bay. Improving oral hygiene effectiveness is among the top benefits dental implants deliver. You fill the gap and eliminate concerns like tooth pain and sensitivity, allowing you to brush and floss effectively. This helps you avoid plaque buildup, which provides an environment for bacteria to multiply, leading to infections. Proper oral hygiene helps keep the implant in place for years and minimizes the chances of losing the remaining natural tooth due to cavities or decay and needing more implants.
Routine dental visits
Routine dentist visits are critical with or without dental implants. Professional cleaning, for example, helps get rid of plaque in hard-to-reach areas, minimizing dental problems risk. After the dental implant procedure, the visits provide the chance to observe and ensure they are doing the job. If not, the dentist can recommend interventions or treatments to avoid significant issues like peri-implantitis or fractures that could necessitate dental implant extraction. It is also a chance to ask questions and learn more about the best dental implants and overall oral care measures to adopt.
Dental implants can serve you for 30 years or more. They effectively restore your smile and dental functions and do not require extra care beyond what it takes to keep your natural teeth healthy. Visit Perio & Implant Center of Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley today for more on dental implants and care measures.