One of the advantages of choosing dental implants Northborough to replace a missing tooth in your smile is that the procedure has a 95 percent success rate. Very few implants fail unless they're not properly cared for or a dental infection causes failure.
The good news is that dental implants are easy to take care of, which helps ensure their success. In addition, before your procedure, our dentists ensure that you're in good overall health and that you have enough healthy bone to support your dental implant successfully, which also lends to the success of your dental implant.
Today we're going to share five helpful and essential tips on caring for your dental implant so you can make the most of your investment in your smile and enjoy your implant for many years and even a lifetime in some cases!
Tip #1: Exceptional Home Care
Committing to a daily routine of brushing in the morning and evening and flossing once daily is one of the best ways to prevent your implant from failing. Keeping your implant tooth clean and bacteria-free means avoiding a tooth infection, which can be the downfall of a dental implant.
Make sure you're using proper brushing and flossing techniques to remove the most plaque and bacteria from your teeth. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush if you haven't already because it takes the guesswork out of brushing your teeth and does the hard work for you. Our hygiene team agrees that patients who use electric toothbrushes typically have less plaque buildup than those using manual toothbrushes.
Tip #2: Avoid Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes and tobacco use can contribute to inflammation of your gums and periodontal (gum) disease, which can impact your tooth implant because gum disease gradually destroys the bone supporting your teeth. When your bone health is in jeopardy, so is your dental implant.
As a bonus, quitting smoking will also improve your general health and well-being and protect your smile and dental health.
Tip #3: Prevent Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)
Tooth grinding and clenching typically occur at night while you sleep, so it can be tricky to diagnose independently. However, your bed partner may hear it happening during the night, you might wake up with a headache or jaw joint tenderness, or you might notice excessive wear or damage to your teeth. Bruxism can also be detrimental to your tooth implant because it can cause undue strain on it.
If your dentist diagnoses bruxism, they may recommend wearing a night guard while you sleep. A night guard fits comfortably over your teeth, much like a retainer, and protects them from the damage that grinding causes. When you're not grinding your teeth, it also alleviates strain on your muscles, relieving headaches and jaw pain.
Tip #4: Routine Visits With Your Northborough Dentist
Visiting your dentist at Northborough Family Dental every six months for teeth cleanings and checkups is another crucial way to protect your dental implant. Our dentists perform a thorough examination to ensure the health of your implants, and they also check it internally each year with routine dental x-rays that allow us to confirm your bone is healthy.
Seeing your dental hygienist for a professional teeth cleaning removes any excess plaque and bacteria from your teeth that you might've missed at home. When plaque builds up and isn't successfully removed, it can lead to inflammation and infection in your gums, which is the enemy of dental implant health.
Bi-annual teeth cleanings and checkups are essential for protecting your dental health and investment in your smile.
Tip #5: Avoid Biting Into Hard Foods
Just like your natural teeth shouldn't bite directly into hard foods because they could fracture, so could your implant tooth. So, for example, foods like carrots, apples, or crusty bread should be cut into bite-size pieces to protect your teeth and restorations from damage.
It's also a good idea to refrain from chewing on ice or other items like a pen to avoid damage to your teeth or restorations.
Contact Your Team at Northborough Family Dental for More Information About Dental Implants
If you're living with missing teeth, considering dental implants Northborough, or have questions about implant care, contact your "dentist office near me" in Northborough, MA, online or by calling (508) 393-2522. Our team is happy to answer your questions over the phone, or we can schedule an evaluation with one of our dentists if you need more information.