Recommended Home Care for Dental Implants

Recommended Home Care for Dental Implants

With the right care and proper attention both by yourself and your dentist, your dental implants could last a lifetime. So, what should you be doing to keep them in the best condition? Here’s our guide to taking care of your dental implants at home.

Clean your teeth at least twice a day

Granted, you are probably – and hopefully – doing this anyway, but robust oral hygiene is crucial for the short and long-term success of dental implants. While the artificial teeth you have had placed can’t be affected by decay, they can be affected by gum disease and this is a problem that can swiftly develop if you aren’t taking good care of your teeth. Regular brushing removes plaque before it can spread onto the gums and cause gum disease to develop. Brush at least twice each day using a soft-bristled brush with a small, easy-to-manoeuvre head. Use a fluoride, low-abrasive toothpaste, and work methodically and carefully across the teeth, paying special attention to where they meet the gumline.

Don’t skip flossing

Flossing is easily skipped or forgotten, but this element of your oral hygiene routine should never be ignored. This is because floss focuses on removing plaque, bacteria, and food debris from between the teeth – in the gaps that are hard to reach with the bristles of a toothbrush. If you aren’t keen on using standard string floss, consider using one of the available alternatives. These include interdental brushes and water flossers that use jets of water to force particles out from between the teeth.

Avoid hard/sticky foods

Hard/sticky foods have the potential to damage your implants, as well as your natural teeth. For this reason, your implant provider will likely recommend that you avoid eating the following as much as possible:

• Ice

• Caramel

• Hard candies

• Dried fruit

• Hardshell tacos

• Potato chips

• Apples

• Raw carrot

• Steak

• Crusty bread

If you do eat any of these foods, cut them up as small as possible and be very mindful of your implants while biting and chewing.

Don’t smoke

Smoking is bad for our general health and wellbeing, but it is particularly bad news for dental implants. Not only will smoking inhibit the healing process after you have your implants placed, but it also considerably increases your risk of developing gum disease. Smoking weakens your body’s immune system, and this makes it harder for you to fight infections, including gum infections. Patients who smoke are also more likely to develop gum recession, which is where the gums pull away from the base of the teeth, exposing the roots and creating pockets which can become infected. Quit smoking to preserve your implants for as long as possible.

Visit your dentist regularly

For your dental implants to remain in the best possible condition you should also make sure that you visit your dentist regularly. Your professional will be able to spot any signs of developing issues early so that they can be treated before they can have a detrimental impact on your natural teeth or your dental implants. They can also monitor the condition of your implants, helping you to maintain them for a lifetime.

For more tips on taking care of your dental implants at home, speak to our knowledgeable implant experts by calling Elite Dentistry and Implant Center today at (205) 224-0040.