It’s fair to say that dental implants in Richmond, or anywhere in the country for that matter, is a hefty investment both in your time and in cost, so it stands to reason that you should want to protect them so that they last your lifetime.
Dental implants look, act, and feel just like your natural teeth which makes them an ideal replacement for missing teeth, and because of this they require the same care that you should be giving to your real teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to the success of your implants. It requires effort on your part to remove plaque on a daily basis, and this means that besides scheduling regular visits to your dentist for check-ups, you also need to brush your teeth properly, floss at least once a day, and clean any gaps between your teeth with a special interdental tooth brush. By using an anti-bacterial toothpaste you can continue to reduce the risk of bacterial plaque build-up as the ingredients contained within the toothpaste continue to work after brushing.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to the loss of your dental implant and there’s no guarantee that it can be replaced, so it makes even more sense to practice good implant and oral hygiene care to avoid any complications which could result in the failure of your implant.
Peri-implantitis
One of the most common causes of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis which is an inflammation caused by bacteria accumulating around the implant which, similar to periodontitis can lead to a breakdown of the jawbone which will cause the implant to loosen and fall out.
Although peri-implantitis can occur in any patient, there’s a higher risk of it occurring if you smoke. Smoking can cause various complications which can all lead to dental implant failure. The healing process, for example takes longer. Nicotine is known to have a negative effect on the blood and also affects the gum tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. Medication to help the healing process following the dental implant procedure also has less effect if you smoke since the strength of any antibiotics are challenged by the nicotine.
So what can smokers do?
Naturally it would be better for a smoker to quit before the dental implant procedure but most doctors realise that it’s a huge challenge to stop altogether. However, most would insist that patients refrain from smoking for the duration of the procedure. It is advisable to stop smoking for at least a week before dental implant surgery and not to smoke until you are fully recovered. If you can’t give up smoking altogether after that, then try and cut down by at least half the amount.
If you’d like more information about the problems of smoking when considering dental implants in Richmond, then Sheen Dental offer a free consultation where you can meet the team, discuss the dental implant procedure and ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate. Why not call us to book a consultation appointment on 020 8876 5277 or visit the website at www.sheendental.co.uk.