How Do You Properly Care for Your Implants?

Do you plan on getting dental implants soon? If you do, it’s worth getting excited about, since dental implants can give you more confidence about yourself. However, once you get them, you should keep one thing in mind: maintaining your dental implants properly is vital to both your health and their longevity. 

When you choose dental implants, you’re also choosing a proper oral hygiene routine that will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. If you’re not sure what an effective home care regimen requires and how to prevent bacteria from accumulating, contact your dental implant specialist in Escondido or keep on reading to learn more about it. 

How do I take care of my implants?

Here are six expert tips on how to care for your dental implants if you want them to last a lifetime:

1. Switch to a nylon brush

One of the first things you’ll need once you replace your missing teeth is a soft nylon brush. Unlike hard bristle toothbrushes, nylon ones have soft bristles that make them gentle on your new teeth. The surface of implants is typically scratched by hard bristle toothbrushes, leading to permanent damage.

2. Use low-abrasive products

Some of the toothcare aids available on the market can actually harm your implants rather than help. For instance, toothpaste containing baking soda, sodium fluoride, and stannous fluoride can be very harmful to them, since they cause corrosion that weakens and wears them down over time. Your dental implants will require you to stick to sensitive cleaning products, whether it’s toothpaste or mouthwash. 

3. Floss & rinse daily

Keep in mind that flossing is just as important as before with dental implants placed. Although prosthetic teeth can’t develop cavities, maintaining good oral health around the implant will prevent gum disease and further tooth loss. 

Also, be sure to rinse your mouth after eating anything. Gargling can be quite helpful in eliminating stuck food particles from your teeth or implants. However, it’s not recommended to rinse your mouth immediately after having dental implants for the first 24 hours.

4. Eat the right foods

It’s still possible to enjoy eating, but the choices you make can affect the longevity of your new teeth and the damage they sustain. For example, hard and sticky foods may damage your implants easily, which is why you should avoid these:

• Root vegetables
• Dried fruit
• Hard candies
• Caramel
• Potato chips
• Hardshell tacos
• Apples
• Steak 

5. Say no to cigarettes & alcohol 

As the healing process of dental implants proceeds, smoking can be particularly problematic. It damages or blocks salivary glands in the mouth, causing dryness and decay. As a result, the bones and gums supporting the implants become weaker.  

Dental implants are at their most vulnerable within the first 72 hours following implantation surgery. Osseointegration requires the body to rebuild bone cells, tissue, and blood vessels. Alcohol may likely disrupt this process, consequently slowing overall healing.

Where can I find a trusted dental implant specialist in Escondido?

With Temecula Dental Oral Surgery, you can set up a free consultation with Doctor Tsvetov, an experienced and accredited oral specialist, and a valuable resource to patients with dental issues throughout Escondido and the surrounding areas. 

Whether you’re looking to restore your look with a dental bridge or need wisdom teeth extracted immediately, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Once the procedure is completed, your dentist will provide you with instructions for proper dental implant aftercare to ensure a long-lasting and healthy smile. Get in touch with us anytime!