Dental implants are one of the most reliable tooth replacement options you can choose since they can potentially last for a lifetime with the right care. The question is - what should you be doing to care for your implants? Your dentist in Mount Pleasant, SC has some helpful tips.
Consistent Home Care
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is always a good rule of thumb for your oral health, but it's especially important when you have a dental implant. Infection is the greatest enemy of your implant and it can cause it to fail. Keeping your gums healthy with consistent brushing and flossing is the best way to avoid infection.
Regular Dental Checkups
Your dentist will monitor your implant with yearly x-rays to ensure its health and regular checkups to ensure its functioning properly. Visiting your dentist every 6 months is critical for the health of your implant. If you should encounter any issues, these consistent visits will allow your dentist to detect any concerns very early on.
Eliminate Bad Habits
Avoid bad habits such as chewing on ice or opening things with your teeth. This is a good idea even if you don't have a dental implant, but habits like these could definitely cause your crown to fracture.
Smoking is also detrimental to the health of your implant because it makes healing more difficult and contributes to gum disease which is an infection of the gums and bone that support your implant. It's a good idea to quit smoking not only for the health of your implant, but also for your overall health and well being.
At East Cooper Smiles, Dr. Jason Annan and his team are happy to help you through the implant process and caring for your investment afterwards. Give us a call today to learn more about dental implants!