Dental implants are a great way to restore your natural smile and mouth function. A dental implant is a small post made of titanium that typically features a ceramic tooth that is designed to match your natural teeth. The implant is attached to a screw that is placed into the jaw bone, anchoring it in place of any missing teeth. Implants can be a good alternative to dentures in many cases. Tooth implants can also provide strong support for fixed or removable dentures. 

Caring For Your Dental Implants

Caring for dental implants is the same as caring for your natural teeth. It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly and visit your dentist for routine check-ups and professional cleanings with a trained dental hygienist. 

Dental hygiene is important for the care of your dental implants. Just like natural teeth, implant failure can occur when too much tartar buildup occurs and you develop gingivitis or gum disease along your gum line. Gum tissue is important to the success of dental implants because it ensures that the implant is supported. Depending on where you receive a dental implant, you may want to opt for an electric toothbrush to get those hard to reach areas that are tougher to clean with manual toothbrushes. Choose soft to medium bristles so that you do not disrupt the enamel of your implant or regular teeth. 

If you are a smoker, it is important to consider smoking cessation for the care of your implants. In addition to your overall health and wellbeing, there is a fair amount of reliable data that shows that smoking can lead to implant failure. 

Other Recommendations For Dental Implant Care

In addition to good oral hygiene practices, your dental professional may make other recommendations to ensure that you maintain clean dental implants and a healthy smile. 

Common practices or products that your dentist may recommend may include: 

• Antimicrobial mouth rinse to be combined with proper brushing. These help decrease bacteria in the mouth that can contribute to gum disease.
• Interdental brushes or oral irrigators (water flossers) that help remove plaque between the teeth on either side of your implant(s).
• Disclosing tablets that stain the locations where plaque has built up. These can be used as a compliment to brushing to ensure that you are reaching all areas of plaque. 

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

Dental implants can be an excellent choice for patients who have one or more missing teeth due to disease, decay or injury. Implants are especially practical for those who don’t want to wear removable dentures and desire a natural looking smile.If you are thinking about the dental implant process and have questions, or you would like to receive an implant consultation, we encourage you to reach out to our Simi Valley dentists today.