Lily Thompson
Medical Content Writer
Dr. Carrasco
Medical Reviewer
Investing in innovative dental implants to replace missing natural teeth requires an equal commitment to excellence in at-home maintenance and oral hygiene to ensure their longevity. Preventing mechanical damage, premature wear plus combatting peri-implantitis remain imperative. We outline optimal care guidelines for keeping different implant types functioning beautifully.
Preventing Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis describes inflammatory gum disease plus supporting bone loss endangering the vital stability and survival of previously integrated dental implants. The condition mimics periodontitis attacking natural tooth structures. Bacterial plaque and tissue inflammation drive the progressive breakdown, so meticulous hygiene around implants forestalls this insidious threat.
Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Aggressive scrubbing alongside natural gums risks recession exposing vulnerable implant portions to oral bacteria accumulation and direct functioning pressures. This opens the door to complications. Always use an ultrasoft brush with rounded edges to gently disrupt biofilm.
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Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste
Likewise standard toothpastes containing baking soda or hydrogen peroxide over time erode protective implant abutment veneers or damage thin implant fixture prosthetics through friction undermining longevity. Non-abrasive pastes are compulsory.
Floss Daily
While brushing disrupts coronal visible biofilm above the gumline, dental floss threaded under the gums removes residual plaque secretions on implant abutment and crown mating margins shown to harbor residual bacteria colonies left undisturbed from brushing alone. This interdental cleaning disruption proves mandatory.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Consistently removing all biofilm buildup using proper brushing and flossing techniques around the entire circumference of integrated implant structures is mandatory to prevent peri-implantitis destructive progression long term. Have professional hygienists verify technique and difficult to reach areas.
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Avoid Hard, Hot or Sticky Foods
Crunchy nuts/popcorn, thick steaks, hot liquids, chewy caramels impose excessive shear stresses on the osseointegrated bone-implant interface still maturing or fixtures themselves risking microfracture, screw loosening and undesirable loads mismatching the supporting foundation especially soon after surgical placement. Caution remains advised.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Frequent alcoholic beverages erode oral pH balance decreasing saliva production allowing acids and bacteria to proliferate degrading oral and implant health. Restrict intake avoiding further jeopardy. Stay hydrated rinsing acids.
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Quit Smoking
Studies confirm tobacco smoke’s 600+ toxins – namely nicotine – constrict vital blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to stimulate osseointegration between living bone and implants fusing them together securely. So smoking impairs this critical integration process and must be avoided for ideal stability.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
While most modern dental implant systems are built of durable materials with 5-year plus lifespans assuming proper use and care, seeing your dentist regularly allows professional assessment of developing problems to get ahead fixing issues early before necessitating repeat extensive procedures down the line. Have dentists verify stable seating with xrays to validate fusion integrity or loosening. Attend to problems promptly, as biologic complications risk more bone loss and expense. Catch issues before they become cement-sealed showstoppers.
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Get a Mouthguard for Teeth Grinding
For patients with a medical history of chronic nocturnal teeth grinding or clenching putting added strain on the investing ligaments and bone integrating dental implant apparatus daily, have your dentist properly custom fabricate a therapeutic nighttime mouthguard. This protects arches including sensitive implants taking much of the significant compressive bite forces over years aiding longevity. Don’t overlook this proactive prevention.
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Special Care for Overdentures
Implant-retained overdentures securing into 2 or more endosteal dental implants require similar excellent hygiene to traditional dentures themselves plus direct peri-implant care where gum tissues contact permanent integral attachment apparatuses.
Additionally, irrigate cleansing solutions under the denture plate lifting to disrupt adhering debris. Daily removal allows gum tissue aeration after brushing and flossing them too. Have dental teams adjust occlusion regularly confirming balanced equal biting forces. Proper use means avoiding sticky chewy foods pulling at stabilized roots now guarding bony height where bone once continually resorbed from chronic pressures wearing traditional unstable slipping dentures lacking stopgap implant halting atrophy. Lastly take care seating and removing overdenture pieces straight vertically on and off without forwarded or lateral stresses on retaining implant bulbs.
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Dr. Carrasco
MEDICAL REVIEWER
Dr. Carrasco Graduated dental school in 1981 from the U.A.C.J. Since 2005 he has specialized in Prosthodontic and Oral Implantology. He is a member of American Dental Association (ADA), a fellow of the Mexican Dental Association, The American Society of Osseointegration and an associate fellow of The International Congress of Oral Implantologists,
Dr. Carrasco has completed continuing education courses at prestigious U.S. universities such as Loma Linda University and New York University. He was the Former President of the College of Dental Surgeons, Former professor of undergraduate and graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez.
