How To Care For New Dental Implants

The good news is that caring for dental implants is really simple. For the most part, you can treat them just like natural teeth! And in this blog from Houston dentists at Elite Dental Wellness, we’ll discuss five simple steps you can take to keep your smile looking perfect for the years and decades to come.

1. Brush Twice A Day For Two Minutes With Fluoride Toothpaste

Brushing at least twice per day is extremely important for your oral health. Brush your natural teeth and your dental implants thoroughly, spending at least two minutes brushing your teeth, or about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.

You should use an ADA-accepted toothpaste that contains fluoride. While dental implants are not susceptible to decay, your natural teeth are, and fluoride helps strengthen them and prevent cavities.

2. Floss Once Per Day To Remove Stubborn Food Particles

You should also floss at least once per day to remove food particles and bacteria buildup between your teeth and your dental implants. Flossing removes debris that can’t be removed with brushing alone. 

And if you want to take it a step further, consider using mouthwash after you floss. Mouthwash helps clean and sanitize your mouth, and rinses away debris that’s been loosened by flossing.

3. Quit Smoking, Vaping, And Oral Tobacco Use

If you smoke, vape, or use other kinds of oral tobacco like chewing tobacco, you should quit. Tobacco use of any kind is associated with a much higher risk of dental implant failure, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.

If you’ve just invested in one or more dental implants, quitting tobacco use is the best way to make the most of your investment, and protect your dental implants for the long term. Consider quitting, and talk to your doctor if you need help with smoking cessation.

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4. Stay Hydrated To Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Drinking water helps rinse away food and bacteria buildup. Proper hydration also helps promote proper saliva production, which helps neutralize acid in your mouth. Drinking tap water is the best option, since it has fluoride that helps protect your teeth from decay. 

Speaking of drinks, cut back on your intake of soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and other drinks like sugary coffee and tea. While your dental implants are not susceptible to decay, your natural teeth still are, and cutting back on sugar will help keep them in good shape.

5. Visit Your Dentist For A Checkup And Implant Maintenance Every Six Months

As part of your six-month checkup, your dentist will check on your natural teeth and your dental implant, too. Six-month visits with your dentist at Elite Dental Wellness will help you avoid any potential oral health issues and get peace of mind. You’ll know that your teeth and your dental implants are in great shape!