Dental implants can transform the appearance of your mouth. A completed implant restoration results in a natural-looking tooth replacement, so you may be able to smile with confidence again once your implant restoration is complete.

Your new implant should last a lifetime. However, there are some precautionary measures that you should take to help ensure that your dental implant remains intact. Here are few of them.

You should protect your dental implant during physical play and contact sports.

A dental implant is secured within the bone of your jaw, but like a natural tooth, it can be knocked from position. Once the implant is moved out of place, it will not reconnect to the jaw bone for stabilization. As a result, the dental implant must be replaced and is considered a failure.

If you regularly participate in activities that could result in a blow to the mouth, it's important to protect your dental implants during these activities. Shock-absorbing mouth guards can be worn to help protect your dental implants as you participate in these activities.

Protective mouth guards are often made from soft materials that can cushion the mouth against the force of a blow. They are designed to be worn during sporting activities, such as football and basketball, in which facial blows are fairly likely to occur.

You should brush the area around your dental implant daily.

Although the crown that completes your implant restoration is not subject to dental decay, it can still harbor plaque and bacteria that can damage sensitive tissue. As bacteria eat particles of food in your mouth, they release byproducts of their digestive process. One of these byproducts is bacterial acid that is corrosive to tooth enamel and inflammatory to gingival tissues.

As the acid inflames the gums, the soft tissues around your dental implant may recede. Also, they may fail to offer the additional support to the implant that is paired with the structural support of the jawbone to keep the implant securely in place. The success of a dental implant can be jeopardized by a severe case of gum disease.

Each time you brush your natural teeth, be sure to brush around the dental implant to remove the plaque and bacteria that may be resting there.

To learn more about protecting your dental-implant restoration, schedule an appointment with an implant dentist in your area. He or she can provide helpful advice to keep your dental implant in great condition.

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