How to Clean and Maintain Your All-On-4 Dentures
Once your All-On-4® dental implants have healed and your denture has been placed, you will be able to laugh, smile, and speak without hesitation. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, and your dentures can last many years with proper care.
To help our Lake Jackson, TX, patients understand how to maintain and clean their All-On-4 dental implants and dentures, Drs. Brian Bell and Justin Crocker offer this overview.
Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Many of the steps involved in caring for your dental implants are similar to the steps used to care for natural teeth. While your dental implant is made from a strong, durable material, it still needs to be supported by healthy jawbone tissue and gums.
Any dental conditions or habits that can lead to bone loss, gum disease, or infection may potentially lead to implant failure over time. Patients who have dental implants should:
- Brush at least twice a day (especially after eating)
- Eat nutritious foods that are not high in sugar
- Use floss or a water flosser daily to clean abutments
- Wear mouthguards during sporting activities
- Quit smoking (which can reduce jawbone tissue density)
Regular dental exams at our Lake Jackson practice are also critical to avoiding potential complications. During your exam, one of our dentists will take X-rays of your implants to ensure that there is adequate jawbone tissue surrounding the implant posts. Exams and cleanings also allow our doctors to prevent or treat gum disease. Our doctors can also check for signs that the implant is coming loose during your visit.
Patients who do not take care of their implants risk complications. Without proper oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups, patients risk developing mucositis, which is characterized by bleeding around the implant. In its more advanced stages, peri-implantitis and significant bone loss can occur. Although rare, infections and loss of jawbone tissue can require the removal of an implant.
Maintaining and Cleaning Your Denture
Cleaning and maintaining dentures is simple and straightforward. Patients with removable dentures should:
- Periodically rinse the dentures with water to remove food
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush the gums when the dentures are removed
- Brush the dentures with non-abrasive toothpaste at least once a day
- Soak dentures in water at night
- Report if dentures feel “off” or become loose
- Avoid putting dentures in hot water
As with dental implants, regular checkups and exams can ensure that you do not accidentally damage your dentures.
Rejuvenate Your Smile with All-On-4 Dental Implants
With proper care and maintenance, dentures can last several years or longer; dental implants can last your entire life. All-On-4 dental implants offer aesthetic and oral health benefits. Our doctors and staff understand that how your teeth look and feel makes a big difference for your self-esteem. If you are missing an entire dental arch of teeth, our doctors can restore form and function to your smile.
To schedule your All-On-4 dental implant consultation, please contact our office online or call (979) 297-1201.