Caring For Dental Implants: 3 Things To Know

A dental implant is a surgically implanted prosthetic tooth that is inserted into the gums via a metal post and capped off with a faux tooth that is made to look and work just like your natural tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace just one tooth, or they can be used to replace all of your teeth if you prefer. Dental implants are an alternative to other types of replacement teeth such as dentures or a dental bridge. If you have a missing tooth, or you have teeth that are going to need to be pulled, and the other types of replacement teeth are not what you are wanting, dental implants may be a better choice for you. Discussing dental implants with your dentist to be better informed about these implants is very important. Read below for some tips to help you care for these implants if this is the route you choose.

1. Brush Them Like Your Natural Teeth

Your dental implants should be brushed just like you would brush your natural teeth. You should brush your teeth twice daily and then floss as well to get in between your teeth. The same is going to go for your dental implants as well. You should brush your implants with the same type of toothpaste you typically use and floss in between them as well as your natural teeth, as they can also accumulate plaque and become stained. 

2. Go In For Routine Cleanings

You still should have your dental implants inspected and cleaned regularly just as you would your natural teeth. If you have an entire mouthful of dental implants, you should still go to the dentist for your yearly checkup and for your cleaning. Your implants will still need to be checked and monitored, even though they are a permanent fixture in your mouth. You also still should have your gums inspected for issues as well.

3. Avoid Hard Foods Or Hard Items

Eating the right foods can prevent damage to your dental implants. This means you should stay away from hard foods or items that can cause damage to your teeth or your implants. Stay away from hard or sticky candies and avoid other hard foods, and you should also avoid chewing on things that could damage your teeth, such as chewing on pencils.

If you have dental implants, they will mimic your natural teeth. You should also be taking care of them much like you would your natural teeth as well. Talk to your dentist about other ways to care for your dental implants.