Looking after your Implants
The greatest innovations of modern dentistry are dental implants. They are prosthetic replacement teeth, with a porcelain crown attached consisting of an artificial titanium tooth root. Dental implants can last a lifetime. The crown that goes on top may need replacing after 10 to 15 years through wear and tear. But proper care can make even crowns last longer.
When having a crown or a bridge replaced or even dentures re-fitted. These three types of restorations can not last forever. The crowns and bridges, they can fail when the original tooth structure that they are attached to get settle due to decay. Also dentures eventually would need to be replaced or re-fitted when the cause of bone loss makes the shape of the jaw change.
Dental implants you will have no issue with. The reason implants are suggested as the best and most diverse option for replacing missing teeth is that you do not have the same failure problems as standard crowns, bridges or dentures.
Smoking
Smoking inhibits blood flow, which affects the healing process after implant surgery. Even after the implant has successfully bonded with the bone, smoking can cause inflammation, infection and ultimately, failure.
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause implant problems.
Healthy lifestyle
Staying healthy is good for your mind, body – and implants:
- Avoid sugar, junk food and fizzy drinks
- Keep your alcohol intake low
- Eat plenty of vegetables and some fruit
Excellent dental hygiene
If you’ve invested in dental implants, you also need to invest time and effort in keeping your mouth healthy. If neglected, they develop a coating of bacterial plaque just like natural teeth. Eventually, without treatment, you could end up with peri-implant mucositis (an inflammation of the gums around the implant.)
The basic advice for keeping your teeth and gums healthy is straightforward. It’s simply a case of making oral care part of your daily routine:
- Brush your teeth and gum line gently with a soft toothbrush twice a day
- Floss once a day with floss, tape or inter-dental brushes