How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants
Your teeth are a part of your smile, and are an integral part of who you are, regardless of whether or not you came by them naturally or if you have had to have a little extra help via dental implants in Mesa. Replacement teeth have come a long way over the years, and are no longer just “grandpa’s teeth in a jar.” People of all ages find themselves in need of dental implants with reasons ranging from hygiene to genetics to falls or other high impact accidents.
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Whether you have a crown on a single tooth or a full mouth of teeth, taking care of your dental implants is simpler than you realize. Here’s what you need to know.
Brush Your Teeth
Clean single implants using a soft-bristled toothbrush in order to protect your gums. Although electric toothbrushes are more effective, manual brushes get the job done. At a minimum, brushing should be done both morning and night. You may also want to brush after meals and snacks, if that fits into your lifestyle.
Choose a Good Toothpaste
A lot of toothpaste can seem pretty heavy-duty, but for implants, you’ll want a fluoride toothpaste that is on the lighter side. Avoid toothpaste that includes abrasive ingredients, like baking soda or ingredients designed to remove stains, because they may damage your implants.
Choose the Right Toothbrush
Other tools help you achieve a more complete clean for your dental implants than you may get with a standard toothbrush and floss. These include a rubber-tipped stimulator and a sulcus brush.
- A rubber tip stimulator is commonly included with water flossers and removes particles out from in between your teeth and gums. Use it on a low setting to minimize the risk of separation.
- The sulcus brush is more slender than a standard toothbrush and has a single row of bristles. It is effective for bridge cleaning, as well as for other types of implants.
Floss
The need to floss doesn’t end after a dental implant procedure. Just as electric toothbrushes produce more strokes than a manual brush, a water flosser catches more food particles than simple floss. Make this the first step of your dental care routine to assure that fluoride properly penetrates and protects your teeth.
For crowns and bridges use a special type of floss with stiff nylon ends and a fuzzy middle. If this floss is too hard to find, a tape type floss may be used instead. Do this after brushing your teeth because it will redistribute fluoride between your teeth and help protect against bacteria.
Other Ways to Care for Dental Implants
While being efficient in your dental routine is important, lifestyle choices also make a big difference in your oral health. Be mindful of the food you eat and avoid other contaminants, such as smoking in order to get the most out of your dental implants. Since abrasives are especially bad for implants, brushing soon after eating foods that may stain, like berries or coffee can also help maintain the longevity of your implants.
Besides smoking, other habits to break include chewing on hard items including, candy, pencils, or even ice. If you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about how to stop in order to best protect your teeth and implants. Even crowns can benefit from extra TLC for your mouth.
Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups
With one dental implant or a full set, you still need to visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Just as you take care of your teeth at home the same as before — brushing and flossing, your dentist will continue to care for your dental health, too. With regular visits, small problems can be caught and fixed before they create bigger issues. This will help decrease the need for expensive replacements too soon.
Conclusion
Dental implants give back your natural smile which boosts self esteem and helps you feel more confident. But they’re also an investment. With proper care, your dental implants should last 20 years or longer. Dental Brothers can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted and maintain your implants long into the future. Contact us today and lets discuss your options!
