Whether you need a single diseased tooth replaced, or are interested in a total smile makeover, dental implants are definitely worth your research and attention. These built-to-be-permanent replacement teeth are the most state-of-the-art solution available on the market today. Dental implants function like natural teeth and look like them, too. First, they work like natural teeth because, unlike dentures and bridges, they have a titanium rod that is inserted into your jaw bone, mimicking the jaw bone stimulation that a natural tooth root provides. Second, dental implants are covered with realistic-looking tooth crowns, and none of your Galesburg friends or family will be able to tell they aren’t your “real” teeth unless you tell them. Finally, dental implants are a permanent solution, meaning they don’t have to be removed daily like dentures, and they won’t slip and slide when you eat or speak.
Some Galesburg AOS patients think that, since dental implants are prosthetics, they don’t require any dental care. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to increase your chance of implant success – meaning the implants will properly fuse with your jaw bone and not fall out, you need to follow a careful dental care regimen.
Always Keep Your Regular Six Month Dental Check Ups, Even If You Have a Mouth Full of Dental Implants
Galesburg AOS patients should be aware that dental implants require regular 6-month checks ups, just as your natural teeth do. Even if you’ve extracted all your natural teeth for a full smile makeover, you still need to visit your regular dentist twice a year for bi-annual cleaning and check-ups. This is because your gums and dental implants need to be cleaned, and your dentist needs to confirm that jaw bone fusion is taking place.
Maintain Your Regular Oral Hygiene Regime
Your dental implants need to be brushed twice daily and flossed once a day in order to maintain proper oral health. Doing so will keep your gums healthy, and may also reduce the risk of you developing peri-implantitis*, a rare but real complication of dental implants in which the gums around and under the implants become infected, potentially leading to implant failure.
Quit Smoking to Keep Your Dental Implants Healthy
You already know that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know that smoking after receiving dental implants is just about one of the worst bad habits you can have? The reason is that smoking constricts blood flow, which may hinder your dental implants from fusing with your jaw bone tissue. This can lead to dental implants instability or implants that fall out altogether. After all the time and money you’ve invested in your dental implants, you don’t want to lose them, do you? If you need help quitting smoking, talk to our Galesburg doctors about your habit. Never judgmental and always concerned about your health first, our doctors can recommend a smoking cessation program and even refer you to doctors who can prescribe medications to help you kick the habit for good.
Call Us With Other Oral Hygiene Questions
If you’re a Galesburg AOS patient and you’re wondering if you’re properly caring for your dental implants, we want to know. We’re happy to give you the advice you need to keep your dental implants healthy and strong.
Call our offices today at (309) 232-8252.
*Individual results may vary.
