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How do I care for my dental implant?

Dental Emergencies

Dental implants are standard of care in replacing missing teeth and are designed to be strong and durable, able to withstand the everyday rigors of chewing and biting, but to keep them functioning the way they should and looking their best, you need to care for them properly.

Dental implants require a monumental investment of your time and finances so it is only natural you would want to be sure you are doing all you can to keep them healthy. Fortunately, dental implant care is straightforward; in fact, your implants can be cared for the same way you care for your natural teeth, with regular brushing and flossing performed correctly, as well as regular visits with SA Family Dentist to ensure your implants, the neighboring teeth, and your gums are as healthy as possible.

Dental implants are a two-step process and while awaiting the attachment of the replacement tooth to the implant post, you may want to avoid harshly abrasive toothpastes, such as those with baking soda or those designed to get rid of significant staining. These abrasives may damage the threads of the posts or irritate the gum and soft tissue surrounding the posts, causing inflammation or bleeding.

As the implant integrates with the bone, a special kind of protective tissue called “keratinized” tissue will form where the implant meets the gum. This natural development in healing helps ensure the implant post and the soft tissue beneath the gum line are protected from bacteria.

As you care for your implants, always look for signs of infection, like swollen, tender, or bleeding gums – just as you would with your normal teeth. If you are nervous about caring for your implants or feel you may be reluctant to floss around them, ask our team to provide you with care tips and walk you through the process of flossing.

If you have one or more dental implants please do not forget the importance of hygiene visits, we would be happy to schedule you at our office and we would love for you to meet our caring hygienists. Please come see us at SA Family Dentist, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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