Congratulations! You made a great choice when you decided to go with implant-retained dentures in Arlington to restore your smile and your ability to chew and speak with confidence. Now the question is how do you properly care for your new teeth? Read on for some advice from a dentist in Arlington.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Maintaining regular visits to the dentist is critical to the longevity and health of your implant-retained dentures. Be sure to schedule at least two dental checkups every year—and depending on your oral and general health history, you may need to come in more frequently.
The dentist will need to examine all the parts of your dentures to make sure they are secure. Your denture will likely feel very secure to you, but there may still be some slight movement when you chew. As a result, the denture could be rubbing against the gum tissue and causing small sore spots. A checkup will give the dentist an opportunity to look at you gums and make any necessary adjustment to your dentures. In addition, he will also see how your top and bottom teeth meet when you wear your dentures. This is called your bite, and it is very important to the comfort of your dentures as well as your overall oral health.
The dentist will also want to take X-rays at least once a year. An X-ray shows the implants in your jaw as well as the abutments that connect the implanted posts to your dentures. Looking at these images, the dentist can see whether or not the gum and bone tissue surrounding implants are healthy. Better to catch a developing infection or another problem in its infancy when treatment is simpler and less expensive.
Oral Hygiene at Home
Good oral hygiene habits are essential to maintaining your new dentures in Arlington. The best time to clean your teeth and the abutments above the gum line is right after you’ve eaten breakfast and at night before going to bed. Nighttime cleaning is extra important because your mouth does produce as much saliva while you sleep, so bacteria are not rinsed away during this time.
To clean the abutments, stand in front of a mirror and use good lighting. Using a brush with soft bristles, clean the abutments in an organized manner. Start with one of the abutments at the back of your mouth and start cleaning the inner side as you move along the entire gum ridge. Then go back and clean the outer side. This way, you’ll be sure to clean all the surfaces.
If you have implant-retained dentures, then schedule a dental checkup today. The time you spend at the dentist is a worthwhile and necessary investment in the longevity of your dentures and the health of your smile.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Douglas Baldwin is a family and cosmetic dentist in Arlington, Texas. He and his team provide a complete menu of dental services to patients of all ages, including implant-retained dentures. Call Foundation Dental Solutions today to schedule an appointment.