How To Extend The Life Of Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the longest-lasting tooth replacements out there. In comparison to dentures and bridges, dental implants can last for decades. However, how you care for them can play a big role in whether or not they last that long and, with the right dental care, you can help them to last even longer. Here are three things you should always do to ensure that your dental implants last for a very long time.
Chew
This one should be easy, but it's important. You should chew your food well! The simple act of chewing helps to keep your jawbones strong. The pressure sent through the implants (or real teeth) encourages new, healthy bone cells to grow, replacing old, weakened bone cells. It's integral that once you get the dental implants that you keep eating chewy food. Think tougher cuts of meat, vegetables, and even hard, crunchy stuff. If you mostly stick to food that doesn't require chewing, you could shorten the duration of time that your dental implants are supported by your bones. Weakened bones are a problem in and of themselves.
Floss
Taking care of dental implants is easy. In fact, hygiene care for dental implants is exactly like having real teeth. That's why it's more important than ever that you actually take the time to floss. Whether you use real floss or a water flosser, flossing is integral to keeping your gums healthy. Like your bones, your gums play a big role in keeping your dental implants in place.
When gum disease develops, the gums can become looser around the implant. This can allow food debris and bacteria to wiggle in around them, creating inflammation and more severe gum disease. If gum disease becomes severe enough and gum recession occurs, it could mean potentially losing your implants. Thankfully, all you've got to do to keep them is keep flossing.
Don't Miss Your Appointments
Finally, remember to see your dentist on a regular basis. It's important for people with real teeth to do this, of course, but with dental implants, it should become a part of your regular yearly routine. Dental examinations can help to ensure that your implants are intact, safe, and that your gums are healthy. Dental x-rays can show the bone density and ensure that your implants are still in position and that new bone cells are growing around them. If there are any problems in either of these places, you can quickly get help for it and potentially reverse the risk of losing your implants.
Dental implants can last for a very long time if you take good care of them. Whether you have implants already and need to see a dentist or you're still considering whether or not to get them, put your trust in a reliable dentist and get the help you need. Go to this site for more information.
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