Have you recently rebuilt your smile with dental implants, or are planning to sometime soon? If so, congratulations! This state-of-the-art tooth replacement option can help you regain your confident smile and permanently replace your missing teeth. However, while dental implants boast an overwhelming success rate of over 95%, their lifespan will rely heavily on how well you take care of them. Keep these six simple tips in mind to ensure you enjoy your new smile for decades to come!
1.) Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
As long as you use a toothbrush with soft bristles, you can clean your dental implant just like a natural tooth. Medium or hard bristles can scratch away at your dental implant, which can cause it to weaken and become dull. What’s more, these stiff bristles can damage your natural teeth as well! Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval.
2.) Avoid Abrasive Dental Products
Certain types of toothpastes are also quite abrasive and can injure your dental implant, such as those marked as “smoker’s toothpaste” as well as any products that contain sodium fluoride, baking soda, or stain removers. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, skip over-the-counter options and see your dentist for a professional whitening treatment to safeguard your dental implant.
3.) Floss Every Day
Flossing is more important than ever when you have a dental implant! If plaque and bacteria are allowed to accumulate between your teeth, they can easily cause an infection known as gum disease. This common oral health issue is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US. It causes permanent damage to the jawbone and gum tissue, which could lead to implant failure. If you don’t floss regularly, now is a great time to start this healthy habit.
4.) Break Bad Chewing Habits
Your dental implant can withstand high amounts of pressure, but it’s not indestructible. Bad chewing habits can wear down your implant and cause it to break or become loose. It’s important that you stop chewing on hard objects like pen caps, ice, or your fingernails to keep your dental implant in place for the long run.
5.) Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Products
Alcohol and tobacco products can have a significantly detrimental effect on your dental implant, especially right after its been placed. These products slow down your healing process dramatically, which leaves your mouth much more susceptible to infection and dental implant failure.
6.) See Your Dentist Regularly
Just because your dental implant isn’t a “real” tooth doesn’t mean you can stop seeing your dentist regularly! Routinely getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months allows your dentist to spot and stop the earliest warning signs of issues. No matter how many natural teeth you have left, seeing your dentist twice a year will help keep your oral health on track!
One of the most popular benefits of dental implants is how easy they are to keep clean, healthy, and in place. By remembering these six simple yet effective tips, you can expect to enjoy your complete, confident smile for a lifetime!
About the Practice
Sebastian Dental has been keeping the smiles of Sebastian, FL happy and healthy with trusted, high-quality dental care since 2004. Dr. Patrick Pirkle and Dr. Veronica Yu have years of experience and advanced training, which allows them to personally perform every step of the dental implant process instead of referring you to a specialist. If you have questions about getting dental implants or how to care for them, they can be reached via their website or at (772) 388-0088.