After the decision is made to secure dental implants in Manassas, it is important to learn how to take care of them properly. While the implants are easier to maintain than denture plates, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are a few examples. A Regular Toothbrush is FineWith dental implants in Manassas, there is no need to invest in any type of powered toothbrush. A simple design with a decent set of bristles will do the trick. In fact, many dental professionals encourage patients to avoid using any type of electric toothbrush, owing to the vibrations that the devices create. Over time, those vibrations can make it easier to loosen the crown or cap on one or more implants. That will mean a trip to have the cap refitted. By choosing to use a non-abrasive toothpaste and a standard toothbrush, the patient will find that refitting caps is something that happens rarely if ever. Food and DrinkFor the most part, a person with dental implants can eat whatever he or she likes. The thing to remember is that combining excessively hot or cold foods and drinks can trigger problems. This is because the body of the implant is metal, and will retain heat longer. The crown is often porcelain or some other material that will expand and contract when exposed to alternating extremes of temperature. That can pave the way for cracking.
Flossing Not Required Brushing and using mouthwash is still a good idea with dental implants. The matter of using floss is something to consider very carefully. This is because the implants do not have the protective layer around the gums that come with natural teeth. While a protective layer is artificially installed during the implant procedure, it is not as resilient as the real thing. As a result, shoving the floss into the pockets between teeth can cause irritation and make infection around the gums more of a possibility. Even if all the natural teeth are replaced with implants, it is important to go for regular dental exams. The dentist can ensure the gums are healthy and that the crowns are in good condition. A professional will also know how to clean the implants without damaging those crowns. Two or three visits a year will do the trick, unless there is some condition that the dentist wants to monitor more closely.
