Dental Care and Special Needs: Planning for Success

Posted on: 14 December 2018

For missing teeth, you can have dental implants put in to take their place. These prosthetics are strong and actually have an authentic look. If you're considering them as a restorative option, you'll want to be aware of these helpful tips. 

Find Out If You're a Good Candidate 

Just because teeth are missing in your mouth, doesn't mean you're automatically qualified to receive dental implants. For a smooth and effective procedure, you actually need to meet certain criteria first. One of the most important is having good oral hygiene. If you don't have this, then you're more at risk of getting an infection when the implants are secured into your gums. 

You also need to have adequate bone material to work with in your jaw, as this is where the implant will be placed. If you don't meet the necessary criteria, then your dentist may recommend another cosmetic procedure. 

Give Them Time to Heal 

Even though dental implants are very durable, they can in fact chip and move out of place if you're not careful. For this reason, you need to give your implants plenty of time to heal after they're placed.

Make sure you don't eat any hard foods that could potentially cause chipping. Instead, eat foods that are soft and don't require you to chew that much. You also need to avoid applying pressure to the area where the implant was placed. If you do, you could cause the implant to shift out of position.

Know What Maintenance Involves 

Once dental implants are placed in your gums by a dentist, your job is only beginning. You'll actually need to maintain them properly over the years, because if you don't, your implants won't last as long and you may have to deal with costly repairs.

An instrumental maintenance step to perform is cleaning. You'll want to brush and floss dental implants just like you would with regular teeth. Only, it's helpful to use a soft-bristled brush so that you don't cause damage to your implants. Follow-ups with your dentist are also necessary for making sure your implants are setting in appropriately. 

When it comes to missing teeth, you don't have to live with this cosmetic dental issue forever. You can in fact make a change for the better by getting dental implants put in. As long as you know what this process involves and take the necessary precautions, they can be a great investment.