Caring for Your Dental Implants – What You Need to Know

Dental implants are the ideal solutions for teeth replacement. They’re incredibly strong, they don’t develop cavities, and they look, feel and function like natural teeth.

But there’s also one important thing that dental implants and natural teeth have in common: they need proper care and maintenance to last long.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure they last. Here’s what we recommend:

Cleaning Dental Implants

Clean your dental implants twice a day, or after every meal 

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush over, under and around your dental implant crown. You should also floss (unwaxed floss) it, paying attention to all sides of your dental implant. Make sure to brush and floss gently.

Use an antibacterial mouth rinse

After brushing and flossing, use a mild antibacterial mouth rinse to keep your mouth fresh and your teeth

Avoid using “whitening” toothpaste

Toothpaste that claims to whiten or brighten teeth typically contain abrasive properties that can wear down the surface of your teeth – implants or otherwise.

Use gentler, anti-plaque toothpaste instead to clean the implants without causing damage. We also recommend using the right type of toothpaste for your teeth – although the implants themselves won’t decay, your teeth and gums can.

Choose the right toothbrush

As mentioned above, use a soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or electric) so you can clean your teeth without irritating to your gums.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Getting regular dental check-ups is important because it lets your dentist check your overall dental health, including the condition of your implants.

Make a point to visit your dentist every six months to have your dental implants checked. And while you’re at it, schedule a proper dental cleaning with them.

You can also ask your dentist for advice on how to clean dental implants properly, depending on how long you’ve had them. See if they can recommend any dental implant care products you can use.

Other Tips For Long-Term Care

Having dental implants should not stop you from taking proper care of your remaining natural teeth. Keep in mind that tooth decay and plaque will affect your gum health, which plays an important role in the appearance and longevity of your dental implants.

Bi-annual visits to the dentist are also helpful. These visits allow your doctor to take x-rays of the implants if necessary and check for signs of gum infection or bone loss around the implant posts.

You’ll also want to cut back on sugar. Although tooth decay isn’t a problem with implants, eating too much sugary food can result in plaque build-up around your gums. Unhealthy gums can lead to gum infection, which can then cause your dental implant to fail.

Need More Advice?

Caring for your dental implants should continue long after your dentist fits them on you. Although caring for your implants is similar to caring for your natural teeth, it’s always best to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about anything.

If you want to know more about how to care for dental implants, contact us today.