You might not have to worry about getting cavities in your dental implants, but that doesn't mean that you can completely stop brushing your teeth. In order to keep your dental implants in place and avoid your remaining natural teeth decaying, you need to properly care for your implants. Fortunately, because your dental implants are placed into your jaw, you take care of them just like you would take care of your natural teeth, with a few small adjustments.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Your dental implants can't form cavities, but you still need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day. This removes any built-up plaque from the surface of the dental implants, as well as keeps your gums free of infection-causing bacteria. It's extremely important to take care of your gums, because your gums provide support for your implants. So, in addition to flossing between your teeth, you need to clean between your teeth and near your gum line with an interdental toothbrush. Also, when you brush your teeth, make sure you don't use an electric toothbrush. The vibration that an electric toothbrush makes can cause your dental implants to become loose, especially if you have newly placed implants that haven't completely fused with your jawbone.

Choose the Right Toothpaste

Your dental implants sit in a small crevice in your gums. Because your gums aren't fused completely with your implants the way they are with your natural teeth, it's easy for food particles and bacteria to get lodged in the crevice at your gum line. When this happens, it can cause an infection, so it's important to use an antibacterial toothpaste to brush your teeth if you have dental implants. Keep in mind, all toothpastes are considered anti-bacterial to some extent, but that doesn't mean that they all work the same way. When you're purchasing toothpaste, look for one that contains triclosan, a chemical compound that helps reduce bad breath and tartar. Also, avoid using tooth whitening and abrasive toothpastes so that you don't remove the glaze from the porcelain and/or wear down the acrylic on your implants.

Use Mouthwash

When you use mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth, it helps kill any bacteria that's left in your mouth. When you have dental implants, you should choose a mouthwash just like you would a toothpaste -- one that has anti-bacterial properties. However, some anti-bacterial mouthwashes contain alcohol. You'll want to avoid mouthwashes with alcohol if you tend to have a dry mouth.

Ultimately, the success of your dental implants depends on whether or not you care for them properly. So, make sure you're brushing your teeth with an antibacterial toothpaste, flossing, using an interdental toothbrush, and using anti-bacterial mouthwash to ensure your dental implants last as long as possible. To find out more, speak with a business like Kenai Dental Clinic.