Dental Implant Wimbledon are artificial tooth roots made of titanium that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. With proper care and maintenance, implants can last for many years, even decades. However, it’s crucial to follow good oral hygiene practices to ensure their longevity.
Read on for 7 expert tips to help keep your dental implants London clean, healthy and functioning at their best. Following these simple guidelines will help you get the most out of your investment while avoiding potentially expensive complications.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Meticulous oral care is paramount when you have Cosmetic dental implants in place. Thorough cleaning keeps bacteria, plaque and tartar from accumulating around implants which could lead to inflammation, infections or bone loss in severe cases.
It’s best to clean implants immediately after eating and drinking, especially acidic or sugary items which attract more plaque. Brush using gentle motions and a soft-bristle brush for 2 minutes each time, taking care to clean all surfaces of teeth, implants and gums.
Floss at least once per day, carefully cleaning on either side of the implant crown as well as under the artificial tooth. An inter dental brush is useful for cleaning between tightly-spaced implants.
Antimicrobial mouthwashes provide extra protection when used alongside brushing and flossing. Your dentist may also recommend professional cleanings every 3-6 months to remove stubborn buildup.
Avoid Clenching and Grinding
Clenching or grinding your teeth applies excessive biting forces against implants which could loosen their position or damage the crown over time. Tell your dentist if you have symptoms of bruxism such as jaw pain or headaches so they can recommend solutions.
A custom night-guard worn while sleeping cushions the blow from grinding and prevents implant damage. Your dentist may also suggest botox injections to relax muscles or recommend stress reduction if anxiety is the root cause.
Eat a Balanced Diet
What you eat impacts the health of tissues around implants so favoring crunchy, high-fiber foods is ideal. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds increase saliva flow to naturally cleanse implants. Their vitamins also nurture gums and underlying bone.
Meanwhile, minimize sticky foods like chewing gum and caramel since they cling to implant crowns and are hard to remove. Sugary items feed harmful bacteria so confine them to mealtimes only followed by diligent brushing.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day as well – this keeps tissues moist and resistant to inflammation.
Avoid Tobacco Use
Smoking is extremely detrimental for those with implants. The heat, chemicals and sucked-in particles bathe implants in toxins leading to discoloration, bad breath and increased infections.
Tobacco use starves tissues of oxygen and nutrients, impeding the healing process after surgery. It also triggers bone loss which destabilizes the titanium posts screwed into the jawbone.
Ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs or nicotine replacement products if needing support to kick the habit for good. Your implant success and longevity depend heavily on being tobacco-free.
Get Regular Dental Checkups
While you can prevent some implant issues with vigilant home care, problems like mini-fractures in posts or damage below the gumline may only show up on x-rays. That’s why visiting your dentist every 6 months is key.
During exams, your dentist will check implants for mobility issues, signs of infection or needed repairs. Tartar removal and crown polishing will also be performed as necessary. Any detected problems can then be addressed promptly before escalating.
Protect Implants from Trauma
Due to their position in the mouth, implants are vulnerable to blunt force during activities like sports or falls which can fracture the titanium post beneath bone level. Unfortunately, this often necessitates full implant removal and replacement.
Wearing a high-quality mouthguard during contact sports shields implants from hits or collisions with equipment. This also safeguards natural teeth nearby implants which may shift over time as forces redistribute in the mouth after restoration.
Act Fast If You Notice Changes
Sometimes despite best efforts, an implant can still develop issues which may initially manifest as subtle changes. Symptoms signaling possible complications include increased sensitivity, pains or looseness when chewing, bad tastes and obvious visible damage to the crown.
Receding, swollen or bleeding gums could indicate infection or inflammation brewing below. Any sudden temperature changes or numbness around implants also warrants prompt inspection.
Don’t delay getting evaluated if anything seems off as waiting allows minor problems to amplify. Early intervention keeps complications minimal and your implants protected.
Caring for Dental Implants Over the Long Term
Dental implants don’t require significant special care beyond diligent oral hygiene and regular dental visits. However, taking sensible precautions and being attuned to changes protects your investment in implant therapy.
Safeguard implants from damaging habits like tobacco use or teeth grinding whenever possible. Report symptoms out of the ordinary to your dentist right away as well.
With conscientious daily care and ongoing professional cleanings, Cheap dental implants Wimbledon in London can truly last decades and boost your confidence with an complete, functional smile for years to come. Be sure to follow your SW19 Confidental Dental Clinic, Wimbledon dentist’s recommendations tailored to your unique needs too.
