4 ways to keep your implant teeth healthy and strong for the rest of your life

When searching for an “implants dentist near me in Cooper City, Florida,” know that Semidey Dental has everything needed to rebuild your healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. From our office in Davie, Dr. Alex Semidey and Dr. Sara Tarte have the capabilities to plan, place, and restore your implants. Other dentists may only restore the implant with a crown, bridge, or denture; they do not surgically place the implant. Rest assured, our expertise at every step in the process supports the long-term success of your new teeth. But there are also some things you can do to ensure that your teeth last for the rest of your life, four of which we have highlighted below.

1. Follow all post-surgery instructions

After the implants are inserted, there is a healing period. As your mouth heals, the implant and surrounding bone grow together. To ensure this process is a smooth one, it’s important to start with a soft diet. A good rule of thumb is the fork rule: if you can cut it with your fork, it’s safe to chew. Slowly work your way up to chewier, harder, and crunchier food as advised by our team. Take great care to avoid disturbing the implant sites in any way, and that includes refraining from vigorous rinsing, brushing, and the use of straws for the first few days. By sticking to our instructions for aftercare, you avoid the early implant failures that can interfere with the ability of the implants and jawbone to integrate in the first place.

2. Be consistent and diligent about your home care

While it is true that crowns and other restorations do not decay the way that natural teeth do, implants are vulnerable to damage that can then threaten the stability and “lifespan” of the teeth attached to them. Food particles and bacteria can build up and harden to form calculus or tartar, the same deposits that develop on natural teeth and lead to gum inflammation and early-stage to advanced gum disease. Using electric toothbrushes, water flossers, and small interdental brushes (Proxibrushes) is helpful in keeping your implants healthy.

As with early-stage gingivitis and its more advanced form, periodontitis, inconsistent or inadequate oral hygiene is associated with the following conditions:

• Peri-implant mucositis – Reversible, early-stage inflammation of tissue surrounding the implant
  
• Peri-implantitis – Causes bone loss around the implant and can lead to its failure if left untreated

3. Don’t smoke, vape, or use tobacco products

A healthy lifestyle fuels healthy, long-lasting implants. In the shorter term, the nicotine associated with these products/habits restricts blood flow. Normal blood circulation is needed for proper healing after the implant is placed. The bone supporting the new tooth root and crown also needs oxygen. Just as we tell you not to use straws due to the suction and the potential for disturbing the treatment sites, the same idea applies here, as the movements used to smoke or vape can dislodge the blood clot that forms following your surgery. Over the longer term, these habits can increase your risk of developing peri-implantitis and may compromise the bone density and health needed to support the implant.

4. Be kind to your mouth

Basically, any behavior that might put unnecessary stress on your implants should be avoided and addressed. For instance, teeth grinding or bruxism places pressure on the implant-restored tooth that far exceeds the force the tooth is naturally built to withstand. Just as a bodybuilder’s muscles bulk up with repeated lifting, so can a person with this condition “bulk up” his or her chewing muscles. Those with bruxism can, over time, exert even greater bite forces. The implant may be no match for the excessive mechanical load placed on it by the longtime teeth-grinding patient. We can explore options such as nightguards to protect your new teeth and surrounding tissues from damage caused by this condition. Also, refrain from chewing on hard objects (like ice) and using your teeth as tools.

As your implant heals, be sure to maintain follow-up visits at Semidey Dental as instructed by Dr. Alex or Dr. Sara. With routine visits to our office in Davie, FL, for exams and professional cleanings, you can enjoy your implant-supported teeth for the rest of your life. Call (954) 939-0996 to speak with a member of the Tooth Tribe today.

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