Dental Implant Aftercare – Jonesboro, AR
Maintain Your New Teeth for Life
One of the reasons countless patients choose to invest in dental implants is their longevity. They have the ability to last for decades, maybe even a lifetime – but only if they’re properly maintained. Luckily, caring for your dental implants in Jonesboro is fairly simple. In fact, it’s quite similar to taking care of your natural pearly whites. Here are some basic tips for optimal dental implant aftercare:
Make Oral Hygiene A Priority
Infection is the most common reason why implants fail. To prevent this from occurring, it helps to be diligent about your oral hygiene. Brush your implant restorations as well as your natural teeth twice a day, taking care to brush along the gumline. Floss around your restoration at least once daily. (This process may be a bit different from flossing normally, so don’t be afraid to ask us for advice!) Lastly, rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash every day can kill bacteria and other harmful germs in areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can’t quite reach.
Protect Your Dental Implants
If you play sports, or even engage in certain physical activities by yourself (like cycling or jogging), your teeth and implants are at risk of damage due to physical trauma. To protect them, always wear a mouthguard during these activities. You could purchase a cheap mouthguard from the sporting goods store, but you’re much better off investing in a custom-made tray from our office. It will provide a snugger fit, resulting in better protection.
A condition known as bruxism, in which you involuntarily grind your teeth, can also put your implants at risk. This habit, which often occurs while sleeping, places stress on your implants and teeth that can lead to wear and tear and even fracturing. We may prescribe a custom nightguard to protect your teeth at night. Just like with mouthguards, custom-made appliances from our office will work much more effectively than store-bought alternatives.
Finally, avoid using your implants for anything other than chewing, such as holding extra bags of groceries, biting your fingernails, and opening packaging. Be careful when chewing certain items like nuts or hard candies.
Schedule Regular Recall Visits
