The term ‘restorative dentistry’ refers to treatments such as crown, bridge or dental implants, which offer a permanent solution to missing teeth and these treatments do require care and attention. In a perfect world, it would be fit and forget. In reality, our teeth have to endure a lot and there are certain things we need to do to protect our dental work.
Table of Contents
Be Aware
Dental implants are anchored by special titanium pins, which bond very well with human bone and tissue, yet the first few months require special care. Avoid playing contact sports for a few months and should you feel anything untoward, make an appointment to see the dentist, as things can go wrong.
Brush & Floss As Normal
Your dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like your regular teeth and that goes for brushing also. For the first 6 months, you should avoid putting pressure on the implants and avoid biting down on anything hard, as this could cause the titanium pin to move. If you are looking for dental implants, Brisbane dentist Face Value Dental, among other reputable dental clinics around the world, offer a full range of dental treatments, including crowns, bridges and, of course, dental implants. The first step is to book an appointment and let the dentist examine you and assess your oral health, then he or she can recommend treatment, or give you the green light.
Electric Toothbrush
If you thought electric toothbrushes were for the lazy, it is actually a very efficient way to clean your teeth and with the correct handling and the right toothpaste, an electric toothbrush takes the effort out of brushing your teeth. It is important not to put pressure on the teeth, rather let the motor do its job and maintain the right amount of pressure, changing angles.
Antiseptic Mouthwash
Your dental implants greatly benefit from regular mouthwash with an antiseptic solution, which should be swilled around the mouth, using the face muscles to create pressure and with lots of jaw movement, you will flush through the teeth and gums, removing any trapped residue. This is important after eating snacks or drinking coffee or red wine, which removes almost all of the staining and keeps your mouth free from bacteria.
Quit Smoking
Aside from the very obvious health risks, smoking stains prosthetic teeth, much like natural teeth and if you quit smoking, your teeth will be whiter. The prosthetic teeth might end up a different shade from the regular teeth in a heavy smoker, which looks rather odd. Quitting smoking is a win-win situation. There is nicotine gum or patches if you find it difficult to quit the habit and they are much kinder to your teeth.
The dentist will issue you a list of post-treatment instructions, which you should follow and if there are any issues, make an appointment. The first few months require special care when you have dental implants fitted and if you brush and floss as normal, you should not have any issues.
