If you’ve lost all your teeth, dentures were a convenient solution to restore a complete smile. They’ve undergone several improvements over the years to look and feel more natural, but dentures will always have their limitations. You might even avoid eating your favorite foods. Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t need to give you anxiety. You can secure your denture to your jawbone using dental implants. You’ll enjoy a solution that closely looks and feels natural; however, your daily life and eating with dental implants will be a bit different. Here are 5 tips to adjust to your new smile in time for the holidays.
1. Commit to your oral hygiene.
Your schedule will be a little busier over the next few weeks, but it’s best to commit to your oral hygiene routine. The biggest threat to the success of your new smile is a preventable infection called peri-implantitis, so you don’t want to skip brushing before bed. You can keep the infection at bay by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Pay extra attention when cleaning around the abutments and dental implants. You might find a waterflosser easier to use to clean the hard to reach places.
2. Enjoy your favorite foods.
Dental implants stabilize your denture, permanently eliminating any slipping and irritation. In fact, you’ll regain as much as 70% of your natural biting force, so you can chew everything on your plate for Thanksgiving dinner, including any meat. Although you can eat whatever you want, it’s best to avoid anything overly sticky or hard.
3. Smile with confidence.
Your replacement teeth are carefully crafted to meet your specific needs, including the color, size, and shape you desire. You can smile with confidence because no one will know they aren’t your own. Whether you’re talking with a friend or smiling for a picture, you’ll be proud to show off your teeth.
4. Protect your investment.
If you’ll be participating in friendly sporting games or other outdoor activities, it’s best to safeguard your investment from any potential complications if there’s an injury to your face. Wear an athletic mouthguard to protect your new smile.
5. Don’t forget to visit your dentist.
Besides your home oral hygiene habits, don’t forget to see your dentist for your second hygiene appointment. A routine cleaning and checkup are essential for keeping your smile healthy. It also allows your dentist to detect any concerning issues sooner to prevent dental implant failure, like inflamed gum tissue.
Smile for the Holidays
You don’t need to dread Thanksgiving gatherings because you have the security of dental implants. You’ll enjoy lasting memories using a long-term solution to treat tooth loss with an implant-retained denture.
About Dr. William Poe
Dr. Poe has completed advanced training in many areas of specialty, including cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry. He remains current with the latest treatments and techniques to resolve even the most complex problems, like tooth loss. If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth, contact our office today to see if you’re a candidate for implant-retained dentures.