Getting Dental Implants? What Can Happen If You Do Not Take Care Of Them

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If you are getting dental implants, you need to make sure you do what your dentist tells you to do and take proper care of them. If you take the time to care for your implants, they can last you for many years. But if you do not, you could have many problems, and in some cases, the implants will fail completely. One problem you could have is peri-implantitis.  Below is some information about this condition, as well as what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.

Peri-Implantitis

If plaque builds up around one of your dental implants, this could cause gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. This can also cause bone loss if not corrected. This is the first stage of gum disease and could result in not only your implant failing but damage to other teeth also. The only way to prevent plaque from building up is to brush and floss each day, and to see your dentist twice a year for dental cleanings.

To treat this problem, your dentist may remove dead tissue around the implant, prescribe antibiotics to take care of the infection, and teach you how to better care for your teeth. They may give you a special mouthwash to use daily.

Dental Implants Care

How you care for your implants depends on the type you have. The dentist may give you an interdental brush, which is used to clean the sides of your implants. The brush is angled to make it easier to get around the implants. There is also a plastic coated wire on the brush to allow you to clean inside the implant. An implant brush can also be used. This brush is often used to clean the outside of the implants, as it has a narrow brush head.

The doctor may also suggest implant floss, which has a stiffer thread than traditional floss that can be used to clean between the tooth and the implant.

A tufted brush is used to clean the area where the implants meet your gums.  Your dentist will show you how to properly use the device(s) you need to clean your implants.

There are a number of ultrasonic instruments that have plastic or nylon tips or sheaths that can be used to clean implants without damaging them. These instruments use high frequency vibration to clean the implant, along with water irrigation. There are also antibacterial solutions that can be added to the water, if needed. Your dentist can tell you where you can purchase these instruments.


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