Congratulations on your new dental implants! Irvine, CA dentist Dr. Jeffrey Robertson wants you to know that you’ve made a fantastic decision for your long-term dental health!
One of the features of dental implants that people like the best is how similar they are to natural teeth. Not only do they look and feel like your own teeth, caring for them is quite similar as well.
If you follow these steps, your implants should last you for many years – often a lifetime!
1. Brush and floss according to your dentist’s recommendations.
In most cases, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing between your teeth once daily (preferably before bed).
Even though your restoration can’t develop cavities, plaque and tartar can still build up on it, which can affect your other teeth, leading to bad breath, decay, and gum disease.
2. Visit our practice for regular check-ups and cleanings.
We’ll keep a close eye on your implants (as well as the rest of your dentistry) to make sure that they’re healthy and in good shape. Implant crowns are highly durable, but they can wear down or even break in some circumstances. We’ll also make sure that the post is properly integrated with your bone for long-term stability.
Regular cleanings help clear away the traces of plaque and tartar that can remain after even the most diligent brushing and flossing, giving you a fresh start every six months.
3. Watch out for possible infection.
While dental implants are remarkably similar to natural teeth, there is one specific way in which they differ. Small fibers connect your gums to your natural teeth, and these fibers help prevent food particles (like popcorn husks) from becoming lodged between your teeth and your gums. The gum tissue doesn’t connect to your dental implants in the same way, so you’ll need to be cautious when eating foods with small seeds or other particles that could become stuck.
If you experience any signs of infection (redness, swelling, a pimple-like lesion, warmth to the touch) of the gum tissue around your implant, please call our practice right away so we can get you in for an evaluation.
Making Your Dental Implants Last in Irvine
If you ever have any questions about your dental implants or your post-treatment care, don’t hesitate to call our Irvine dental practice at (714) 8378-7272. We are here to help you have a healthier smile – for a lifetime!