Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire IL
If you’ve come as far as spending a great deal of money on your smile by getting dental implants, you’ll want to protect your investment. This means keeping your implant clean, your gums healthy, and your overall oral health in tiptop shape. Caring for your dental implant is as important as caring for your natural teeth. Today on the blog, our implant dentists in Lake Forest share the best ways to care for dental implants.
Clean your teeth on a regular basis
Aim to brush your teeth twice a day, including your dental implant. The outer layer of the dental crown is fabricated from high-quality, durable porcelain, so it is strong enough to withstand brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be sure to use fluoridated toothpaste. While your dental implant is not subject to cavities, your natural teeth are, which is why you need to use fluoridated toothpaste.
What if I am unable to brush? Ideally, you should brush twice a day – once in the morning and again before bed or after your last meal of the day. A mid-day brushing session is preferred, although it can be difficult depending on your schedule and your availability to get to a sink. If you’re not able to brush your teeth after lunch, swish your mouth out with water, and then pop a piece of sugar-free gum, which is known to promote better oral health (although it’s not a replacement for daily brushing).
Clean interproximal areas daily
Interproximal means between teeth, which are areas that trap bacteria and food particles. Just like you brush to remove those substances from the visible surfaces of your teeth, floss cleans between your teeth, where your brush does not reach. Avoid the temptation to skip flossing and gargle with mouthwash instead. Despite their claims, mouth rinses do not remove the stuck-on biofilm that accumulates due to a byproduct from oral bacteria. It’s the manual motion of brushing and flossing that removes biofilm – the building block of tooth decay, gum disease, and possibly could lead to implant failure. If you struggle with dexterity issues, talk to your general dentists in Lake Forest about incorporating a water flosser or other oral hygiene product that helps clean interproximal areas.
See the dentist
You should commit to seeing the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. The purpose of these visits is to get your teeth thoroughly cleaned, which removes tartar buildup, a hard substance that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Plus, the dentists in Lake Forest check your oral health for any changes that could indicate a problem. It’s essential to follow through with these visits because addressing dental concerns when they first appear yields the best outcomes and preserves your oral health.
Why continued oral care is important when you have dental implants
Neglecting your oral health and your implant could result in gum infections, jawbone loss, or complete implant failure. Implant failure is rare but may occur if you do not take good care of your oral health. It could also mean that you are unable to have the implant replaced, resulting in other forms of tooth replacement like dentures. You’re probably already brushing your teeth daily. Just be sure to remain dedicated to flossing once a day and visit our family dentist’s office in Lake Forest for your six-month cleanings and checkups.
Implant Dentists in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire
If you would like to learn more about replacing a missing tooth with dental implants in Lincolnshire or want to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants, contact Lake Forest Smiles by calling (847) 234-4800 to schedule a consultation.