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Mastering Dental Implant Care: Techniques for Longevity and Brilliance
Dental implants have pioneered the world of oral restoration, offering a durable and lifelike solution to missing teeth. These remarkable innovations can last a lifetime with the proper care and attention. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the techniques, guidelines, and expert tips to help you achieve optimal care for your dental implants, ensuring they shine brilliantly for years to come.
Understanding Dental Implants: A Brief Overview
Before we delve into the care techniques, let’s take a moment to understand what dental implants are. A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone as a strong artificial tooth root. Once the implant fuses with the bone, a crown is secured to the post, providing a natural-looking replacement for a missing tooth.
The Right Stuff of Impeccable Oral Hygiene:
Proper oral hygiene is the cornerstone of maintaining healthy dental implants. Consider these techniques:
Brushing: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently clean your dental implants, implant-supported crowns, and natural teeth. Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline, using small circular motions.
Flossing: Flossing helps reach areas between the implants and natural teeth that brushing can’t access. Clean thoroughly with implant-specific floss, dental tape, or a water flosser.
Choose Your Arsenal of Oral Care Products*:
Selecting the right products can enhance your Dental Implant Care routine:
Toothbrush: Select a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent scratching the implant surface or damaging the gums.
Toothpaste: Choose a non-abrasive toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Avoid harsh whitening toothpaste to protect the implant’s surface.
Floss: Implant-specific floss or dental tape can help you maintain a clean and healthy space between implants and natural teeth. A water pick is also excellent for cleaning between implants and teeth.
Recurring Dental Check-ups:
Routine visits to your dentist are essential for monitoring your dental implants’ health. Your dentist will examine the implants, surrounding tissues, and overall oral health. Early detection of issues can prevent potential complications.
A Nourishing Diet for Implant Success*:
Your diet plays a significant role in maintaining the health of your dental implants:
Limit Sugary Foods: Excessive sugar consumption can lead to plaque buildup around the implants. Opt for a diet rich in veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Calcium-Rich Foods: Calcium supports bone health, which is crucial for the stability of your implants. Incorporate dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods into your diet.
Guard Against Harmful Habits:
Certain habits can impact the longevity of your dental implants:
Avoid Smoking: Smoking reduces blood flow, delaying healing and increasing the risk of implant failure. Quitting or reducing smoking improves your implant’s success rate.
Bruxism Management: If you have a habit of teeth grinding (bruxism), discuss it with your dentist. They may recommend a nightguard to protect your implants and natural teeth.
Embrace Technology:
Consider incorporating water flossers and oral irrigators into your routine. These devices use a stream of water to dislodge debris and plaque from hard-to-reach areas around implants and teeth.
Hydration: Your Ally in Dental Implant Care*:
Staying hydrated promotes saliva production, which aids in maintaining oral health. Saliva naturally cleanses your mouth and helps protect your implants from potential issues.
Conclusion:
Consistency is Key: Just as a masterpiece is created stroke by stroke, impeccable implant care is achieved through consistent daily efforts.
Smile with Confidence: Your dental implants have given you a reason to smile. Nurture them, and they’ll continue to shine brightly, enhancing your confidence and self-esteem.
A Gift to Future You: By caring for your implants today, you invest in a future of oral health and happiness. Imagine the joy of a lasting, beautiful smile!
*Always ask your Dentist: You should always seek the advice of your dentist to make sure which options are best for you. Dental conditions vary widely among individuals. Not all dental problems are visible or easily detectable. No matter how diligent your oral hygiene routine is, professional cleanings are essential. Regular dental check-ups allow for the early detection of potential issues. Dentists are trained to provide expert advice on oral hygiene and other factors that impact your dental health. Online information may need more depth and accuracy to address your specific needs.
In closing, Dental Implant Care is a blend of science and dedication. With a commitment to exceptional oral hygiene, mindful habits, and regular professional check-ups, you’re on the path to ensuring your dental implants remain a testament to your commitment to oral health. Remember, you have the power to nurture a smile that dazzles and inspires!
In the Voyage of Oral Wellness, We’re Your Steadfast Anchor
As you embark on your journey toward optimal oral health, remember you’re never alone. Island Dental Associates is your partner, guide, and source of unwavering support. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every step you take toward a healthier smile is met with expertise, compassion, and personalized care. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (516) 565-6565 or visit our site to learn more about Dental Implants– your destination for exceptional dental care and a brighter, more confident future. Let’s sail towards a world of smiles together!
It seems so silly to suggest that the common, every day practice of flossing your teeth can actually prevent something as serious and deadly as a heart attach.
However, once again, the scientific facts reveal that some of our most common and dangerous diseases actually begin in your mouth.
We recently found an article written by Angela Dowdon and published at Express.co.uk which exposes the deadly connection between poor oral health and heart disease…and how proper flossing (and regular dental cleanings) can help.
Bristol University researchers reported last month that bacteria can enter the bloodstream via sore gums and deposit a clot-forming protein that raises heart disease risk. A link between gum and heart problems has long been recognised but it has always been unclear if poor oral health was simply a marker of other heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and being a smoker. “Now it seems regular flossing may directly reduce cardiovascular risk,” says Dr Langroudi.
At Island Dental Associates we want all of our patients to enjoy the benefits of supreme oral health. We don’t want anyone to suffer from easily preventable diseases. That’s why we provide the very best dentists and dental hygienists on Long Island, as well as a board certified periodontist to assist you and your family.
However, as the article above makes clear, YOU must take care of your teeth at home by flossing every day!
Please contact us here if you would like to get in touch with us or call us at (516) 565-6565.
Plaque and tartar deposits on your teeth can cause tooth decay and many other dental diseases. Regular caring for your teeth is more important than most people would realize. Dental hygiene is of utmost importance in order to reduce your visits to the dentist, and save money in the process. Toothache and tooth decay are the results of poor dental practices, which could end in severe painful gums and periodontal diseases and possible tooth loss. This article will highlight 3 important tips for better dental hygiene.
Periodontal disease is never easy on the individual suffering from it. Many patients complain about issues with their gums and the damage is often extensive. It is essential to remain on top of these matters before they get out of hand and become very difficult to control. Dentists always make specific suggestions to patients that are aiming to ensure they never get hit with periodontal disease. Let’s take a look at some of the tips one can employ in order to make sure they do not suffer with this particular issue.
Are you looking for tips on taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums? If so, you have come to the right place. Taking care of your mouth is important and the article that follows will show you how. Continue reading to learn the best dental health tips out there.
Tip For Brushing Your Teeth
Buy a high-quality toothbrush and replace it frequently. A good toothbrush should be soft especially if your gums bleed while brushing your teeth. Do not keep the same toothbrush for more than a month since bacteria can quickly develop on this object.
Tips For Flossing
Flossing helps remove plaque on and around your gum line and should be performed at least twice daily. When flossing, gently work the dental floss up and down between each tooth. Do not subject your gums to harsh flossing; instead, use a gentle hand and waxed dental floss to help protect your gums.
Special Consideration for Smokers
Stop smoking to improve your dental health. Smoking harms both teeth and gums. It can even discolor your teeth. Smoking disrupts the blood supply to the gums, which makes it harder for them to remain strong and healthy. This reduced blood supply makes it more difficult for dentists to diagnose gum diseases.
Visit Your Dentist Frequently
You should visit your dentist AT LEAST once every 6 months. If you do this your breath will be fresh and clean, your teeth will stay white and gleaming, and your gums won’t bleed when you brush. When you care about your oral health you’ll be repaid in spades.
You only have one mouth and one set of teeth and gums. For this reason it is important that you take care of them and do all you can to keep your mouth healthy. Try out the tips shared here and you can have the healthiest teeth and mouth possible.
Do Electronic Cigarettes Cause Oral Cancer?
We have noticed that many of our patients have switched from cigarettes to the electronic cigarettes. E-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco. Instead, they contain cartridges that are filed with nicotine and other chemicals. Once the e-cigarette is used the liquid chemicals turn into vapor.
There is limited research on e-cigarettes with respect to oral cancer. However, there are chemicals such as nitrosamine in the e-cigarettes that are known to cause cancer.
In our opinion, there needs to be more research on this product to determine the risks vs. benefits compared to regular cigarette smoking.
Screening for oral cancer is very important whether you use e-cigarettes or whether you smoke regular cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe. At Island Dental Associates we do a thorough intra-oral examination for our patients to make sure no lesions are missed.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 516-565-6565.
At Island Dental Associates we want all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene so that they avoid the complications that can arise due to periodontal disease. However, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is especially important if you are diabetic.
If you have diabetes, it is essential that you practice good dental hygiene. Diabetics have a higher risk of periodontal disease. Other dental issues are also more common in diabetics. Good dental hygiene can help you common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and thrush. Regular check-ups are also recommended.
If you have diabetes, you need to practice proper dental hygiene. Diabetics are at a higher risk for gum disease and other mouth infections. Periodontal disease is damaging to gums and bones and can lead to painful chewing problems. Periodontal disease causes people to lose teeth. This disease of the gums can also make your glucose levels change which is why you should care for your mouth and see a dentist on a regular basis.
Here are some things we recommend you do to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible…
One of the most common questions that we receive at our practice is what the patient can do to prepare for their next appointment. Denture relinings are one of our most common procedures, so we’ve had a lot of time to figure out what works best for everybody. Follow these tips, and you should be good to go for your relining!
Brush And Floss Daily
This seems like common sense; but you’d be amazed at how many people there are that don’t take care of their dentures because they’re “not real teeth”. If you cause damage to these, then we’re going to have to replace the whole set, and if your gums aren’t healthy either that becomes a huge problem! Brushing and flossing just takes a few minutes, and your mouth will thank you!
Try Not To Eat A Few Hours Before The Appointment
Ideally, you want to avoid eating or drinking too much in the two or three hours before an appointment (clear non-carbonated liquids like apple juice or water are OK). The less that we have to clean up before getting your dentures relined, the easier and faster it is to complete your procedure! Getting in and out as fast as possible is both of our goals, so lets work towards it.
Relax
This is a completely normal procedure, and you’ll feel loads better once your dentures are properly relined! You don’t have to worry about feeling massive amounts of pain, and as long as you go into your appointment relaxed and upbeat the doctor will be able to have you out and enjoying your dentures in no time at all.
None of that’s too hard, now is it? Follow these steps and we look forward to having a great next appointment with you!
We often have dental emergencies in our practice and when a patient comes in, I often ask, “what happened?” Frequently, the patient who is in a great deal of pain responds that he/she has not been to the dentist is a very long time because they hate going to the dentist because it always hurts and makes them feel uncomfortable.
This is a very common problem in dentistry and unfortunately it leads to way too many dental emergencies.
Look, if you’re having tooth or gum pain, or if you have a loose filling, etc., waiting for the problem to go away and/or fix itself on its own is a recipe for disaster. Dental problems DON”T go away on their own – they get worse when they’re neglected.
So what about the fear of going to the dentist? Do we have a solution to that? The answer is YES! We can give you oral sedation. When you’re sedated you are completely unaware of the dental treatment being performed. You leave the office with absolutely no memory of experiencing any pain or discomfort.
Want to know more about sedation? Give us a call today at (516)565-6565.
The dental implant, unlike a natural tooth, is integrated directly to bone with no intervening periodontal ligament. Which raises the question, how do you clean around it.
Coming in for your dental cleanings is a start and the most important measure of prevention. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is CRUCIAL! Not only oral health but for systemic health as well.
Prevention and early detection are the key to avoiding tooth decay and gum disease. Once bleeding is involved then you’re already the experiencing the effects of gingivitis, which is inflamed gums.
When you have gingivitis it means you are lacking proper oral care. When the gums stop bleeding you fall into a periodontal disease category which includes bone loss, pocketing and possibly the eventual loss of your teeth.
We hope you never get to this stage but if you do, here’s a few things you need to know…
KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE! Dentistry is all about prevention.
Come in for periodontal maintenance. Studies have shown that a toothbrush isn’t able to get into a 3mm pocket so if you’re falling into 5-6mm coming in for painless deep cleaning is a necessity!
Another term for this is scaling and root planing. Basically when we go in and take out all the bacterial pathogens.
No one wants bacteria floating around in their mouth and circulating through their body. Studies have shown that bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream through the gums. This same bacteria has been found in areas of the heart that helped cause the build up of plaque leading to heart problems.
Medical experts believe that the bacteria stick to the fatty plaque in the bloodstream, directly contributing to blockages in your heart.
That’s why cardiologists strongly encourage routine dental cleanings for prevention!
Now that you understand more about taking care of your teeth, as well as your dental implants your next step is to give me a call at (516) 565-6565 to schedule a dental cleaning.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Daniella Sansotta, RDH
