Tips To Make Caring For Your Dental Implants Simple

30 November 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


You can't get a cavity in a dental implant, but that doesn't mean that you can stop caring for your teeth completely. Proper oral hygiene habits need to continue if you want to keep your remaining teeth, but proper care also protects your implants. Because your implants are fused directly into your jaw, you care for them as you would your natural teeth — for the most part. You just need to make a few adjustments to your normal routine.

Brushing and Flossing

It's still important to brush and floss your teeth to remove plaque buildup when you have dental implants. However, you also need to use an interdental toothbrush to flush bacteria and food particles out of the small gap between your gums and your implant. If you don't keep this area clean, you could develop a gum infection. Also, you should avoid using an electric toothbrush when brushing your dental implants. The vibration of the toothbrush could cause your implant to come loose, especially if your implants are newer and haven't fully fused to your jawbone.

Use Mouthwash on a Regular Basis

Mouthwash helps kill any bacteria still hanging around in your mouth after you've brushed and flossed your teeth, which is important because you don't want the bacteria making their way between your gums and your dental implants. Ideally, you should choose a mouthwash that's specifically billed as an antibacterial mouthwash. If you tend to have spells of dry mouth, avoid using a mouthwash that contains alcohol.

Avoid Abrasive Toothpastes

When you have dental implants, it's important to use a gentle toothpaste. Abrasive toothpastes, such as a teeth whitening toothpaste, can remove your dental implants' exterior coating, which will eventually make them look dull. Additionally, the toothpaste that you use needs to be an antibacterial toothpaste. Look for one with triclosan — an antibacterial chemical compound found in many types of toothpaste. On the plus side, using a toothpaste with triclosan in it will also help prevent bad breath.

Ultimately, the success of your dental implants lies in your hands — at least after you've left your dentist's office. It's up to you to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, use mouthwash after brushing and flossing, and not use an overly abrasive toothpaste. The good news is, by following these simple oral hygiene steps, your new dental implants should last a really long time. Talk to a dentist like Kenneth Schweizer DDS PA for more advice.


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