Caring for Dental Implants
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• | Be Cautious of What You Eat: This includes two main parts. You will initially need to eat soft foods while your implant and bone heal together, and then as with your other natural teeth, you’ll want to reduce sugar. Bacteria feed on sugar and then emit an acid that is harmful to both natural enamel and your soft gum tissue. We need your gum tissue to be healthy and provide the support that all of your teeth, both natural and restored, need. |
• | Brush, Floss and Rinse: The need to brush, floss and rinse, does not go away with dental implants. We still need you to remove bacteria and debris from your mouth twice a day. Though your implant may be metal or acrylic, the supporting gum tissue and bone can still be damaged from bacteria and disease. We recommend switching to a rotating or electric toothbrush. Studies have found that they remove much more plaque than manual toothbrushes. We also recommend finding the floss that is best for you. There are many options of flossing thread, flossing sticks, and water agitators. One may fit your liking better than others. We want you to use the one that you are willing to use daily. |
• | Drink Water: Drinking water helps remove bacteria and food debris from the inside of your mouth. Saliva is a natural wash for your mouth, but there are several reasons why a person may not have the necessary saliva levels to do an effective job. Patients who take certain medications, drink alcohol, smoke tobacco or marijuana, or are just older in age, may all have reduced levels of saliva. |
• | Attend Your Dental Checkups: Many people wait for a problem to arise before scheduling a dental exam. The best way to care for your implant is to be seen regularly and often. We hope to catch problems when they are small, versus disastrous. |
Contact Information1341 Westgate Center Drive Winston-Salem, NC 27103-3043 (336) 283-2593 gandbdentistry@aspidamail.com Follow Us |