How To Take Care Of A Dental Implant

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that can be just as durable as the tooth that it replaces. An implant will consist of two components: 1. a titanium post, and 2. a porcelain crown. Neither one of these components should degrade under the effects of plaque. You might, thus, be tempted to think that you don't have to take care of your implant. The truth is that even a highly durable tooth needs careful maintenance. 

Brushing and Flossing

You don't have to worry about painful cavities in a porcelain crown, but if you don't brush and floss like you should, then food debris can get caught in your teeth. The germs and bacteria that this food attracts can cause problems for your gums. If your gums rot, then your expensive fake tooth can still fall out. Moreover, if your gums start to recede, then you will not be able to replace your tooth again. 

At the Dentist

When you go to the dentist, you need to be sure to warn your hygienist that you have an implant. If not, the hygienist might use metal tools on your titanium post. The problem with this approach is that metal tools can scratch the titanium. The grooves made can allow germs to get down under your gums. As is the case with a lack of brushing and flossing, gum infections can cause your tooth to rot.

What Not to Eat?

While you shouldn't have to worry about most foods, you do need to stay away from sticky or hard foods. Sticky foods can put strain on your tooth and cause the cement that holds it in place to fail. Hard foods can crack the porcelain, creating the need for expensive repairs. You should, however, be able to eat corn off the cob and apples without worrying that you will damage your fake tooth. 

When you put all of your money into paying for a dental implant, you want to make sure that you take care of it. If you do take care of your dental implant, you should be able to enjoy it for months to come. On the other hand, if you don't take care of your tooth, you might never be able to replace your tooth again. Whether you lost your tooth due to lack of hygiene or you knocked your tooth out, you need to make sure you take proper care of your fake tooth so that you can bet your money's worth out of it.  Contact a dentist, like http://www.nwidentist.com/, for more help.