Dental implants are a way to replace your teeth that offer things that no other dental treatment can. They can give you an incredible amount of bite force, last for decades, and prevent the bone loss that can often be associated with dentures and bridges.
However, like with anything, dental implants can only take care of you if you take care of them. With that in mind, here are some dos and don’ts for taking care of your dental implants.
DO: Brush your Implants
Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants can develop an infection if you don’t clear plaque buildup off of them. You should brush your implants, along with the rest of your teeth, twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
DON’T: Use Whitening or Abrasive Toothpaste
Unlike your natural teeth, the porcelain on your dental crown can be damaged by the hydrogen peroxide in “whitening” toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste, like those containing charcoal and baking soda, can also leave scratches on your dental implants.
For that reason, stick to normal fluoride toothpaste without these other ingredients.
DO: Floss Daily
In a similar vein, flossing is critically important to breaking up plaque deposits that have formed in the mouth. You should floss daily to stave off all kinds of infections.
DON’T: Floss Below the Gum Ridge
Your natural teeth are connected to the gums by a ligament, but your implants have an artificial seal in its place. This barrier isn’t as strong as with your natural teeth, which means that you can potentially break it if you aren’t careful. This can happen if you press down too hard while flossing.
This seal is critically important to prevent bacteria from seeping under the gums. For that reason, you should be careful not to press your dental floss below the gum ridge while flossing.
DO: See Your Dentist Often
No matter how thorough you are, it’s easy to miss something in your dental hygiene routine. You should see your dentist often for regular checkups and cleanings. They’ll be able to help you pick up the slack!
About Our Practice
At Taylor Choice Dental, we can guarantee that we won’t just rush you through our office. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, everyone on our dental team will do what they can to ensure that you’re getting incredible dental care tailored to your needs. We also pride ourselves on our mastery of the latest in oral medicine, and our office has been thoroughly outfitted with cutting-edge dental technology.
If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (737) 758-3676.