The advantage of replacing lost teeth with dental implants is that they closely mimic the natural design of your teeth, including the roots that support them. Like your teeth, though, you must take good care of your dental implants for them to remain strong. Fortunately, implant restorations resemble your teeth so much that caring for them is essentially the same. Be sure to keep practicing good hygiene at home, and attend every dental checkup and cleaning appointment as often as your dentist recommends.
Good Hygiene for Dental Implants
Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost, you may receive one or more dental implants to support a replacement crown, partial denture, or complete denture. Often, implant restorations are crafted from lifelike dental porcelain, which isn’t subject to tooth decay like your natural teeth. However, gum disease can erode the gums and jawbone that support your dental implants, and decaying teeth nearby can affect the implants’ original placement. Preventing such issues is still vital, so be sure to brush and floss your teeth and implants at least twice every day to remove harmful plaque and tartar.
Regular Dental Maintenance
In addition to daily brushing and flossing at home, you will also need to attend every dental checkup and cleaning appointment that your dentist recommends. Keeping your teeth clean and allowing your dentist to periodically inspect your implants will help ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy enough to support your implants and your natural teeth. By making routine hygiene and dental care relatively simple, implants also provide the benefit of helping you reduce further tooth loss due to advanced dental health concerns.
