Dental implants are a great solution for tooth replacement. They’re stronger than natural teeth. They don’t get cavities like natural teeth. Yet, they make for a great smile, just like natural teeth. However, even though they are durable and strong, you still need to care for them as you would your natural teeth. So here are five tips to help you care for your dental implants. Use Fluoride Even with Dental Implants Dental implants are strong and resistant to cavities and disease. Natural teeth and gums are not. To reduce the risk of decay in your natural teeth, use a fluoride toothpaste and/or rinse. Additionally, make sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily. That includes brushing after each meal, including carefully cleaning all the surfaces of your dental implants, just as you do with your natural teeth. Plaque may not cause oral hygiene problems for your dental implants,

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You’ve undoubtedly heard of dental implants. They offer a superior alternative to bridges and dentures for people who have lost their teeth. However, if you’ve never investigated this tooth-loss option, you may not know what dental implants can offer you. Dental Implants Help Prevent Jawbone Loss Losing a tooth may not seem like a big deal, especially if it’s from a part of your mouth where few can see. However, tooth roots play an important role in the health of your jawbone. Lose enough teeth (and roots) and your jawbone dissolves. Since the dental implant post is actually set in the bone, it stimulates it and can help prevent jawbone shrinkage. Dental Implants Help Prevent Facial Collapse Have you ever seen what happens when someone loses too many teeth and their jawbone shrinks? Their face begins to collapse. Without the support of teeth and jawbone, cheeks look hollow, the distance

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The success of dental implants depends on many factors, beginning with having healthy gums and a solid jawbone to hold the dental implants. Next, you should be committed to good overall health care. Talk to your dental care professional honestly about any chronic conditions or issues with your medical or dental health. Finally, commitment to recovery after dental implant surgery will help in your overall recovery and increase your chances of dental implant success. While there are never any guarantees, here are three things to consider because they negatively affect dental implant success. Poor Oral Hygiene Important with Dental Implants Dental implants offer one of the best solutions to missing teeth, regardless of the cause. They not only improve your appearance, speech, and ability to chew, they are more durable and convenient than other tooth loss solutions. However, don’t confuse their ease and comfort with ease of care. While it’s

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Even though tooth loss has declined since the 1970s, adults between the ages of 20 and 64 still only have an average of approximately 25 teeth and seniors over 65 have an average of 20. Experts suggest several factors can place you at risk of tooth loss including age, gender, and certain medical conditions. Knowing what you can control may enable you to hang onto your teeth a little longer. Good Oral Hygiene Helps Prevent Tooth Loss  Taking good care of your teeth and gums may seem like a no-brainer. However, statistics suggest that less than 30 percent of women and 20 percent of men brush their teeth daily. In case you aren’t sure of the steps involved in good oral hygiene, your dental professional recommends that you: Choose a fluoride toothpaste Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day, two minutes each time Floss at least once a day

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As we age, our bodies go through a variety of changes. Sure, there are the obvious ones like wrinkles and graying hair. However, bones also become thin and more susceptible to breakage. Your chance of having osteoporosis increases as you age. Statistics from the International Osteoporosis Foundation indicate that approximately 33 percent of women over 50 and 20 percent of men over 50 experience osteoporotic fractures. Additionally, smoking, drinking, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, medications, poor nutrition, and decreased physical activity increase your chances of bone loss. Bone loss is about all the bones in your body, including your jawbone. That’s why your dental professional suggests that dental health is important even as you age. Jawbone Loss Increases with Age “Significant changes in facial bones — particularly the jawbone — occur as people age and contribute to an aging appearance,” according to a study from the University of

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Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They provide benefits to your dental structure and the look of your smile that other dental prosthetics don’t do. That being said, here are five facts about dental implants that too many people don’t realize. Dental Implants Still Require Dental Care Don’t go thinking that because dental implants aren’t your natural teeth you can slack off when it comes to oral hygiene. Dental implants may not get cavities. However, you’re still at risk of gum disease if you don’t care for your teeth and gums properly and you need to care for your natural teeth to prevent disease and decay. Additionally, people with dental implants run the risk of getting peri-implant diseases, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Peri-implant diseases are “inflammatory conditions” of the gum tissues around your dental implants. People with a history of gum disease are

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Taking good care of your teeth and gums is the best way to protect your mouth against tooth loss. This includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once, and regularly visiting your dental professional. However, don’t stop there. Here are a few more tips you can employ to help you lower your risk of tooth loss. Prevent Tooth Enamel Erosion Even though tooth enamel is strong, it isn’t completely resistant to damage. Specifically, you can harm your tooth enamel through daily actions such as: Eating too many sweet and acidic foods Smoking Brushing your teeth and gums too hard Grinding your teeth Acid reflux or bulimia Dry mouth You can help protect your teeth from loss by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy, tooth-friendly meals, finishing your meal with a glass of milk or piece of hard cheese, and using a soft toothbrush. Choose to Use a

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Good oral care can’t be just a sometime thing. To lower your risk of dental cavities, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and other issues of the mouth, it needs to be a daily priority. However, your dental professional wants you to know that doesn’t mean it needs to consume your every waking moment. Know When to Brush Your Teeth  When you brush your teeth is just as important as how you brush them. Most dental care professionals recommend brushing at least twice a day. However, they also suggest that you don’t brush any more than three times daily. Brushing too often can cause your gums to recede. Step 1: Brush in the morning when you wake up or after breakfast, if you eat before you leave the house. Step 2: Brush at night before going to sleep. Saliva decreases while you sleep leaving your teeth vulnerable to bacteria. Know How to

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Dental implants offer dental patients a superior option for replacing missing or damaged teeth. In most cases, they offer improved chewing and speaking capabilities over dentures. Moreover, just like dentures, they require special handling especially if you want to recover from dental implant surgery faster. Follow Your Dentist’s Directions Your dental care professional knows best. Your wisest move is to follow his or her instructions to the letter. This will likely include getting plenty of rest and taking any prescribed medications. Be sure to have a thorough discussion with your dental professional before and after your dental implant procedure. Watch What You Eat  This adage is true whether you’re getting dental implants or not. Eating a healthy diet always goes a long way for keeping your body – that includes your teeth and gums – in great shape. However, once you’ve had dental implant surgery there are a few eating

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Your jawbone supports your teeth. Your teeth enable you to speak and chew. Additionally, they keep your facial structure intact. Without a healthy jawbone, your teeth will eventually loosen and fall out or require extraction. Keeping your jawbone healthy requires good oral health care. #1 Reason for Jawbone Loss Not all jawbone loss comes from poor dental hygiene and gum disease. Other potential causes of bone loss include accidents, osteoporosis, tumors, medications, and the natural act of aging. However, the most common reason for jawbone loss is due to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is advanced gum disease in which your red, swollen, and bleeding gums begin to pull away from your teeth and create pockets where the infection grows. As your body fights the infection, it naturally breaks down the bone and connective tissue. Eventually, your teeth will loosen and fall out. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is

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