Dental implants don't decay. However, the bones and tissues around them can deteriorate and cause your implants to fail. This article discusses some of the ways through which you can prevent this from happening.
Interproximal Aids
Interproximal aids are devices, such as water flossers and rubber-tip stimulators, which can help people with dental implants to clean the spaces between the implants and the tissues around those implants. Thorough cleaning is vital so that a biofilm doesn't form in those hidden parts. Learn the specific techniques that are required to register success with the use of the interproximal aid that you select. For example, the water flosser should be set at the lowest pressure setting to avoid gradually damaging the sensitive gingival tissues.
Mouthwashes
The interproximal aids are a mechanical way to remove any accumulations of food or bio-matter in your mouth. Using mouthwash regularly can help to kill any bacteria that may be breeding within the few food particles that escape the interproximal aids. However, the mouthwash should be carefully selected to avoid those which may have abrasive ingredients that could damage your implants. Talk to a professional before using any over-the-counter mouthwash.
Protective Appliances
People who clench or grind their teeth at night can benefit from occlusal guards. Those guards will protect the dental implants from being subjected to excessive loads while the person is grinding or clenching his/her teeth during sleep. You may also need retainers in case a dental implant was installed near natural teeth. This is because natural teeth keep moving slightly in response to the pressures exerted upon them while implants never move. The movements of the natural teeth can, therefore, cause some parts of the implant to become exposed. Retainers prevent the natural teeth from affecting the area in which an implant is located.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes may do a better job of cleaning your teeth when compared to manual versions. This is because the electric model makes many more cleaning strokes when compared to what you can achieve as you move the brush with your hand. Keeping the teeth clean removes any breeding grounds for bacteria. This, in turn, reduces the risk that the tissues and bones around the dental implants will be compromised.
Dental implants differ from normal (natural teeth). For example, the implants have a single root while natural teeth, such as molars, can have multiple roots. Discuss these peculiarities with your dentist so that appropriate remedies can be recommended for the associated cleaning challenges.
Share12 March 2018
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
