Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
You lost one of your permanent teeth and became tired of living with the gap in your smile and the limits on your ability to chew. When it comes to replacing a missing tooth in Okemos, the premier method in restorative dentistry is a dental implant. No other method of tooth replacement can match an implant in durability, functionality and looking and feeling like a genuine real tooth. Anchored by the durable titanium implant screw, an implant can last the rest of your life – only if you take care of it the right way. Today on the blog, your implant dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, compiled this guide to caring for a dental implant.
How to maintain your dental implant at home
Make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your implant. You may want to consider using an ultrasonic toothbrush. No matter which you choose, we recommend also using a low-abrasive toothpaste that has tartar control.
You can brush and floss your implant the same way you do your natural teeth. Flossing on the edges of the implant also is crucial, as food particles easily can build up around an implant.
Complete your regimen by rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash that will kill oral plaque. You also might need to use a water pick or oral irrigator; follow the guidance of your dentist on this.
Make sure to see your dentist on a regular schedule
You know that you should see your dentist every six months for a check-up, which should include a professional dental cleaning and an oral examination. Maintaining a schedule of regular dental visits is crucial after you have received an implant. These appointments help ensure the continued function of the implant, and help your dentist remain vigilant for warning signs of a problem, such as bleeding and inflammation. Changes in the color or consistency of the soft tissue surrounding an implant also can be red flags.
Failing to care properly for a dental implant is risky.
Bad breath – Everyone has bad-smelling breath at some point, but consistently failing to practice good oral hygiene throws off the bacterial balance in your mouth and can lead to chronic bad breath, which also is known as halitosis. If you do not properly brush and floss your implant, food particles can congregate at the edges, where they can break down and cause a foul odor.
Gum disease – Those food particles can be risky in more ways than one. If they lodge near or under an implant, they can irritate your gums and lead to the bacterial infection that causes gum disease.
Implant failure – This occurs when your body rejects the implant after it is placed. It’s rare, but it happens, especially if the patient develops gum disease. This is also why, if you already have gum disease and are seeking an implant, the gum disease needs to be treated before any work begins on an implant procedure. Moreover, if your implant fails, you may not have the funds or dental health to have the implant replaced.
Implant dentistry in Okemos, East Lansing and Lansing, Michigan
Implant dentistry is one of the specialties of Dr. Christine Tenaglia. She will guide you through every step of the implant process, from the initial consultation through the installation of the implant screw to the placement of the crown, then any aftercare and follow-ups. If you want to find out if implants are right for you, schedule a consultation at Tenaglia Smiles today by calling (517) 347-6733.