Are you one of many Australians with one or more dental implants? Then you’re at risk of developing complications – and could end up spending time and money that you don’t have to fix them.
Research shows that dental implants come with an increased risk of infection, instability, as well as the risk of contracting diseases from untreated gum infections. Thankfully, by taking the time and effort to maintain your dental implants, you’ll prevent most of the complications that could increase your risk and enjoy a happy, healthy smile for years to come.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has recently revealed that insurers are less likely than ever to cover dental procedures – citing a rising ageing population and increasing market costs as reasons for doing so. This means that not only will preventative care keep your dental implants healthy – it will also save you time, money and effort down the road.
The problem with most dental implants is that they look and feel so natural, but are made of a different material to your teeth and attached to your jawbone and gums in a different way. You can easily forget that they aren’t real and treat them like any other tooth – resulting in not cleaning them as well as you should be. This increases your risk of periodontal infection, which in turn can develop into conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Armed with this knowledge, it makes sense to maintain your dental implants properly. After all, it literally costs nothing! Just make sure that you always prioritise the advice given to you by the dental surgeon who provided you with your implants.
To keep your dental implants healthy, use a non-abrasive toothpaste, free from stain removers or sodium fluoride. Make sure your brush (whether electric or manual) has soft and gentle bristles. If you floss, use unwaxed or special implant-friendly floss. You might find that using a soft interproximal bristle is easier to navigate in and around your implants.
Finally, if you can afford it, invest in an oral irrigator or water flosser. This will allow you to gently, yet effectively, clean hard to reach areas of the mouth with ease.
