What You Need to Know About Implant Care and Maintenance
Posted on 1/24/2022 by Pine Belt Periodontics
Once you receive dental implants, you need to care for them. However, implants don't need specialized maintenance; you care for them the same way you do with natural teeth. It is essential you keep these restorations clean and free of plaque by brushing and flossing. Cleaning is particularly important after meals. So make sure that you gently brush, giving special attention to the sides of the implants.
Dental Implant Cleaning Tips
Use a small, soft, manual toothbrush to brush your teeth and implants. An electric brush may also do the trick. Don't use high abrasive toothpaste; consider using low-abrasive, tartar-control toothpaste instead. You will also need dental floss to clean around abutments. It is paramount you rinse the mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
What if you Don't Care for the Implants?
Without consistent daily care, your dental implants can develop problems. You may start bleeding, a condition known as mucositis, but this can be treated if caught early. However, if mucositis progresses and turns to bone loss, a condition known as peri-implantitis, then the bone loss cannot be reversed. Further progression of peri-implantitis can result in the removal of your implants.
See a Dentist for Cleaning
A periodontist will need to check and probe the gum pockets around your implants. This is done the same way as natural teeth. The dentist may perform X-rays and compare them annually to check for any irregularities. Also, the periodontist looks for looseness of the implants and all other components to ensure they are working properly.
In brief, if you have received dental implants, you should be committed to your daily oral hygiene. Regular dental visits are also paramount. Make sure that you visit our periodontist every 3 to 6 months to have a professional exam as well as cleaning. Schedule an appointment with us to find out how you can care for and maintain your dental implants.
Dental Implants Hattiesburg, MS | About Pine Belt Perio At Pine Belt Perio, our experience and expertise can help you improve or maintain your periodontal health, especially if you suffer from gum disease. Call today! Pine Belt Periodontics, 9 Medical Blvd., Hattiesburg, MS 39401 - (601) 255-9929 - drbrianpitfield.com - 9/22/2023 - Key Phrases: Periodontist Hattiesburg MS -
Once you receive dental implants, you need to care for them. However, implants don't need specialized maintenance; you care for them the same way you do with natural teeth. It is essential you keep these restorations clean and free of plaque by brushing and flossing. Cleaning is particularly important after meals. So make sure that you gently brush, giving special attention to the sides of the implants.