Are you experiencing any problems with your dental implants, dentures or bridges during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic? It's important to take care of your oral health and seek professional help if necessary. Here, we'll provide you with some guidance and self-help tips that you can use while staying safe at home.
Looking After Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular solution for missing teeth. They are designed to be a permanent solution, as they are surgically implanted into the jawbone. However, dental implants do require some maintenance to ensure they remain healthy and functional.
- Brush and floss regularly: Brushing and flossing your teeth is the most important part of maintaining good dental hygiene, even with implants. It's important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. While cleaning your implants, use a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging the implant and the surrounding gums.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods: Hard or sticky foods can damage your implants and cause them to loosen or break. Try to avoid foods like hard candy, ice, and popcorn.
- Stay on top of dental appointments: Regular dental check-ups are essential for monitoring the health of your implants. Your dentist can check the implant's stability and look out for any signs of infection or inflammation.
If you experience any pain, swelling or discomfort around your dental implant, you should seek professional advice as soon as possible. Your dental care provider will be able to assess the problem and provide the necessary treatment.
Looking After Your Dentures
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that can replace missing teeth. They are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth and improve the patient's ability to chew and speak. However, dentures require proper care to maintain their fit and function.
- Clean your dentures regularly: It's important to clean your dentures every day to remove plaque and prevent the growth of bacteria. You can use a soft-bristled brush and a mild soap or denture cleaner to clean your dentures. Avoid using toothpaste, as it can be abrasive and damage the surface of your dentures.
- Soak your dentures overnight: Dentures can become dry and brittle if they are not properly hydrated. Soaking your dentures in water or a denture soaking solution overnight can help to keep them hydrated and prevent warping.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups: Regular check-ups are important to ensure your dentures are still fitting properly and to detect any signs of irritation or infection in your gums. Your dentist can also advise you on how to adjust your dentures to improve their fit and function.
If you notice any cracks or damage to your dentures, you should seek professional advice to repair or replace them. Trying to fix them at home with glue or other materials can cause more harm than good and may result in ill-fitting dentures.
Looking After Your Bridges
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth. They are often used when a patient is missing one or more teeth but still has some healthy teeth remaining. Like implants and dentures, bridges require proper care to maintain their function and longevity.
- Brush and floss regularly: Brushing and flossing your teeth is important for maintaining good dental hygiene and for preventing gum disease, which can weaken the supporting teeth for your bridge. Use a soft-bristled brush and dental floss to clean around and under the bridge.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods: Hard or sticky foods can damage your bridge and cause it to loosen or break. Try to avoid foods like popcorn, hard candy and ice.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups: Regular check-ups are important to ensure your bridge is still fitting properly and to monitor the health of the supporting teeth. Your dentist can also advise you on how to adjust your bridge to improve its fit and function.
If you notice any signs of a loose or broken bridge, you should seek professional advice as soon as possible. Your dental care provider will be able to assess the problem and provide the necessary treatment.
In Conclusion
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made it more challenging to seek professional dental care. However, it's important to prioritize your oral health and take care of your implants, dentures or bridges while staying safe at home. By following the self-help tips outlined above and seeking professional advice when needed, you can maintain the function and longevity of your dental prosthetics.