Technically, dental implants are a form of cosmetic dentistry. If you have broken, chipped, permanently discoloured or loose teeth then dental implants will boost your confidence and have you smiling again in no time.
But to say that high quality dental implants are purely cosmetic is incorrect. Dental implants are functional as well as cosmetic. Dental implants are used to replace missing or loose teeth and poorly fitting dentures. They enable you to chew again; they prevent gum recession and bone loss and if you have had missing teeth or dentures that don’t fit then they can change the shape of your face. They will certainly have you smiling for plenty of reasons.
So if you’ve invested in dental implants; and that’s what they are, an investment in your oral health, then you also need to invest in dental implant aftercare to protect your investment. Practicing proper oral hygiene before, during and after dental implants will speed up the healing process and make the foundations for your implants far healthier.
To define oral hygiene, it means eliminating plaque. Plaque can definitely build up around implants. Because you have a new, pristine and healthy tooth does not mean that you can neglect the bone structure in your jaw or your gums. Plaque causes bleeding gums, gingivitis, and other forms of gum disease.
Always use a soft brush
Straight after your procedure is when you are most susceptible. Use a soft nylon toothbrush and brush gently, twice a day. The same applies to electric toothbrushes. Use soft nylon bristles and interdental brushes that are also nylon.
Flossing
Floss daily and use implant specific floss. You’ll find it in the supermarket and at your local pharmacy. Flossing around your implants is a great way to prevent the buildup of plaque.
Oral irrigators
Oral irrigators send water between your teeth to reduce the buildup of plaque. Oral irrigators are great for dental implants, people with braces and for getting to hard to reach areas. Like flossing and interdentals, oral irrigators are not a substitute for brushing or flossing.
Gum stimulators
A gum stimulator has a metal handle with a pointy rubber or silicone tip at the end. The silicone tips are designed to gently massage your gums and as they massage they are removing and dispersing plaque from your gums and most importantly, from around your implants. Like oral irrigators, gum stimulators are a great addition to your oral hygiene practices but they are definitely not a subject for brushing or flossing.
You can enjoy a sparkling smile every single day after benefitting from high quality dental implants and caring dentistry treatment at Cosmic Smile Dental. Contact us today to discuss which option is best for you.
