Maintenance Dental Implant Tips for a Lasting Smile
You’ve just invested in restoring a smile you love, and now it’s time to maintain it. Proper care is crucial to ensure the longevity and success of your implants. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential tips for maintaining the health and beauty of your dental implants.
Commit to Oral Hygiene: Just like natural teeth, implants can accumulate plaque and bacteria, leading to potential issues such as gum disease. You’ll want to continue with a good oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss regularly to clean between the implant-supported teeth and adjacent natural teeth.
Use Implant-Friendly Oral Care Products: It’s not just the routine, but the products too. Your dentist may make some specific recommendations like a low-abrasive toothpaste and gentle mouthwash. More importantly, make sure to avoid any whitening toothpaste.
Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. Professional cleanings help remove any hard-to-reach plaque or calculus that may have accumulated around your implants. Your dentist will also assess the overall health of your implants and address any concerns promptly.
Be Mindful of Your Diet: A balanced and nutritious diet is not only essential for your overall health but also for the health of your dental implants. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary or acidic foods, as they can contribute to gum disease and potential complications with your implants. Opt for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to support your oral and overall well-being.
Kick Habits That Harm: Certain habits, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can negatively impact the success of dental implants. Smoking, in particular is known to restrict blood flow which can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of implant failure. Quitting these habits not only benefits your general health but also enhances the longevity of your dental implants.
Protect Your Implants: Many think that having implants means you don’t have to worry about damaging your teeth, however this is not the case. If you engage in activities that could result in trauma to your mouth, such as playing contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your dental implants.
Monitor Changes and Discomfort: Pay attention to any changes or discomfort around your dental implants. If you notice swelling, bleeding, or pain, it’s essential to contact your dentist promptly. Early intervention can address potential issues before they escalate, ensuring the continued success of your dental implants.
Caring for dental implants requires dedication to oral hygiene, regular professional care, and a mindful approach to lifestyle choices. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant about changes in your oral health, you can enjoy the benefits of your dental implants for years to come. Remember, a beautiful and healthy smile starts with a commitment to proper care and maintenance.
Insurance is a great tool to utilize when it comes to maintaining financial stability and your health, however insurance can be difficult to understand. Dental insurance can be a whole other beast of its own. Many people assume that you can use them interchangeably, but often they work entirely differently. This article will help you understand your dental insurance a bit better so you can be better prepared for your next dentist appointment.
It’s best to tag team your insurance Most dental offices have treatment coordinators to give you the most accurate estimate for any type of service or procedure you may be needing, however you may receive an unexpected “denial for coverage”. These surprise bills are not ideal for anyone, but this is a great time to work with your dental office to go through your Explanation of Benefits(EOB). Many times the insurance company has simply processed the claim incorrectly.
Dental insurance is preventative focused Generic health insurance copays and out of pockets can often deter people from making regular check ups with their physicians. Dental insurance works differently though. Restorative and intense procedures are met with higher out of pockets, so it’s important to keep up on your regular visits.
Dental Insurance benefits do not roll over Most plans will have a set amount of benefits for the year, so when fall hits, it’s a good idea to consult with your remaining balance and make an appointment with your dentist to use them up.
Many dental insurance companies will “down code” you It’s important to understand exactly what your insurance will cover, because a lot of times they will only cover a service if a cheaper product is used. They will downgrade your service without you knowing so you’re left with an “upcharge”.
File an appeal Every insurance has an appeal process. If you disagree with the outcome of your insurance’s decision, then you should work with your dental office to put together an appeal. Be sure to document everything throughout your process.
At the end of the day our health is the absolute priority. You should never put off services because of financial burdens. Payment plans are also an option if you’re left with an unexpected out-of-pocket. Take advantage of your dental office, oftentimes they are the biggest advocate for you!
2023 has been a successful year for the dental industry. We are celebrating and highlighting some of the biggest achievements for you. Read on to take a look at some of the most significant dental achievements:
3D Printing When 3D printing first started growing a few years ago, it seemed unknown just how much it would effect the dental industry. 3D printing advances have made dental restoration even more precise to fit each unique patient. This also means the process of it taking days and weeks, is cut down to just hours.
Preventive Care Preventative care is now accounting for up to 40% of procedures. The industry is focusing and pushing taking care of your teeth now, so you won’t need bigger procedures later.
Laser Dentistry Laser dentistry is a non-invasive precise treatment that can help remove damaged tissue. It’s used to help an array of dental problems like gum disease, lesions, tooth decay, or lesions. This year alone, a significant amount of technological advances have been made in the laser industry, making them more accurate.
Dental Specialty Associates’ achievements:
We’ve celebrated 16 years in business! Dental Specialty Associates opened in 2007 as an answer to people who are tired of hoping from dentist to dentist. Since then we’ve grown from just our Gilbert location, to opening a Phoenix location.
Here are our big service numbers for the year: -Over 300 dentures were provided. -Over 750 crowns placed. -Almost 100 dental implants were placed.
It has been a great year for dental, and we at Dental Specialty Associates appreciate you being apart of it for the ride, and are excited to see where next year’s advances will take us. Thank you for your continued loyalty and support. Remember to follow us on social media for real time updates on what’s going on around the office.
Gratitude is a mindfulness practice that can truly better one’s life. A habit as small as daily gratefulness affirmations can lead to increased happiness and overall well-being. The fall can bring on tough times for people, from seasonal depression, or preparing for stressful holidays. It’s important to stay on top of these mindfulness practices to keep ourselves in a positive mindset. Here are some suggestions for gratitude practices.
Keep a Gratitude Journal: Start by setting aside a few minutes each day to write down things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as a beautiful sunset, a supportive friend, or a good meal. Regularly recording your blessings can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of the things you have to be grateful for in your daily life.
Count Your Blessings: Take time to mentally list or reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This can be done at any moment, whether you’re stuck in traffic, waiting in line, or before going to bed. Mentally acknowledging your blessings can improve your overall outlook on life.
Express Gratitude: Don’t keep your gratitude to yourself. Tell the people you care about that you appreciate them. Expressing gratitude to others can strengthen your relationships and make them feel valued.
Volunteer or Help Others: Engaging in acts of kindness and giving back to your community can remind you of the things you have to be grateful for and provide a sense of fulfillment.
Set Gratitude Reminders: Set reminders on your phone or place visual cues around your environment to prompt you to practice gratitude regularly. This can help establish a habit of gratitude.
Guided Meditation: There are many apps you can download on your phone like Headspace and Calm that can lead you through gratuity meditations. You can also find many free gratuity meditations on Youtube.
Remember that being grateful is a mindset that you can develop over time. The more you practice gratitude, the more it becomes a natural part of your daily life, leading to a more positive and fulfilling outlook.
