Care Guide for Dental Implants

Dental implants are reliable and can last you for years, providing the joy of a great-looking smile and the ability to enjoy a variety of foods without concern. However, your implants still require special maintenance to serve you for as long as possible. Please read our care guide for dental implants to learn about the most essential points.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Thorough daily oral hygiene is a must for everyone, including people with dental implants. In fact, good oral hygiene is the number one implant care tip. Of course, dental implants, being artificial, can not get cavities. However, plaque, tartar, and bacteria that accumulate in your mouth can still cause issues, including dental implant failure.

Plaque and tartar, especially if they accumulate in periodontal pockets, can cause gum disease. Gum disease can penetrate the jawbone and destroy its structure. So, it should not be a surprise to learn that gum disease is one of the leading causes of dental implant failure. The metal posts of the implants require stable and secure support, which is not possible when the tissue is infected.

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and right before bed. You should also floss every evening. We recommend adding a water flosser to your hygiene routine as well, as it is proven to be effective at preventing gum disease by helping you clean in hard-to-reach areas and along the gum line.

Choose the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Dentists recommend choosing a medium or soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching the surface of your dental implants. For the same reason, abstain from toothpaste that contains abrasive particles. Micro scratches on the surface of the implants can trap food residue and bacteria and make your implants appear discolored or stained.

Avoid Whitening Solutions

Even if your dental implants appear discolored or have lost their initial whiteness, do not use whitening solutions. The materials dental implants are made of are less porous than the enamel of our natural teeth, for which such solutions are designed. Thus, whitening solutions are not compatible with dental implants and can permanently damage the surface of your implants. On top of that, it is easy to irritate the gums if the concentration of the whitening solution is not suitable for you.

Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages

Typically, dental implants are made of stain-resistant materials. However, it is still recommended to abstain from foods and beverages that can cause implant discoloration. Examples of such products include:

Red wine
Black coffee and tea
Curry and other brightly colored spices
Berries
Juices
Soda and other drinks that contain dye
Beetroot and carrots

If you consume staining foods and beverages, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that is non-alcoholic and does not contain coloring agents right after the meal.

Be Careful

Dental implants are considered the most sophisticated dental restoration solution, as they provide up to 90% of your natural bite force. However, you should still be cautious when eating hard or crunchy foods, such as crackers, nuts, hard apples, raw carrots, etc. We recommend avoiding very crunchy foods and cutting your raw fruits and vegetables into small pieces.

Also, you should never use your teeth as tools for opening bottles, cracking nuts, etc. Doing so can damage our natural teeth easily, let alone dental implants.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Dental implants are a reliable tooth replacement solution, but they still require regular monitoring by your dentist. This way, you will be able to predict and prevent any potential problems with your dental restoration.

In addition, your dentist will conduct professional deep cleanings to ensure the health of your gums, which will support the implants and your natural teeth, if present. Even people who maintain impeccable oral hygiene at home are at risk of plaque and tartar collecting on their teeth and gums over time, causing gum disease.

By undergoing professional dental cleanings every 6 months, you can prevent gum disease and, as a result, avoid dental implant failure. In addition, during cleaning, your dentist will be able to remove surface stains from your dental implants, which will allow them to maintain their initial look for longer.

Make an Appointment Today

Get your dental implants or professional implant care from a reliable dentist in Los Angeles. In the LA Wilshire Perio dental office, we put all our knowledge and attention into providing our patients with the best dental restoration solutions. We are looking forward to your visit.