Some dental patients falsely believe that if you have a mouth full of dental implants, your days of visiting the dentist for routine check-ups are over. After all, why would you need to see a dentist if all you have are false teeth? Others who just have one or a few dental implants placed might feel that those replacement teeth don’t need any particular care or attention. Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are here to tell you that both ideas are misconceptions. Whether you have one dental implant or an entire mouth full of them, you need to practice the same proper oral hygiene that you would if you had an entire mouth full of natural teeth.
Dental Implants Patients Should Visit Their Dentist Twice a Year for Bi-annual Cleanings and Check-Ups
It doesn’t matter how many dental implants a Galesburg resident has placed in his or her mouth; he or she still needs to visit the dentist every six months. The reason is that, even if you only have dental implants and no natural teeth left, you still need regular cleanings and check-ups. If you have dental implants, your dental hygienist will simply follow a different regimen to clean them up. And instead of checking your implants for cavities, your dentist will examine your gums for any signs of gum disease, as well as any symptoms of an infection of dental implants called peri-implantitis.
See Our Doctors Immediately If Your Dental Implants Bother You In Any Way
If your dental implants wiggle, hurt, or somehow feel “off,” you need to contact our Galesburg office right away. While dental implants have a high success rate, in some rare cases, they do fail. Check-ups can diagnose an issue early that can save your dental implants from falling out or needing to be removed.
Always Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Finally, between your regular check-ups, as well as any emergency visits to our doctors at our Galesburg office, if you’re experiencing any complications, you should always practice proper oral hygiene. This means that you should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss your teeth once a day
- Rinse your mouth daily with an antibacterial mouthwash
Following this regimen is essential for your overall oral health.
Deciding If Dental Implants Are Right for You
Getting dental implants involves major oral surgery and a serious investment in your time. This is why our doctors understand that potential patients need to be as educated as possible about the placement of dental implants, as well as how to care for them during and after recovery so they can make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with the surgery. At Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, our goal is to provide the best level of patient care, including pre-procedure education. If you have any questions about caring for dental implants with routine check-ups, our doctors want to answer them for you.
Schedule an initial consultation with us to start a discussion by calling (309) 232-8252.
