How to Care for Your Dental Implants to Ensure Long-Lasting Results

Looking into your dental implant options in Raleigh? You’ve come to the right place!

Implants are artificial teeth that can provide long-lasting confidence and healthy smiles. With the right care, your dental crown can last anywhere between 10-15 years, but the overall implant can last a lifetime.

But what is this “right care” and what does it involve? Here are 5 ways to care for your new dental implant:

1. Have Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Proper oral care is the foundation for keeping your natural teeth healthy and protecting your new dental implant long-term.

Good habits involve daily brushing and flossing. Preferably, you should brush your teeth and implant after every meal, but if that’s not always possible, drink a tall glass of tap water to cleanse your mouth after eating, or chew some sugar-free gum.

You should floss your teeth every night before bed to remove food particles that could get stuck between your teeth.

2. Use Non-Abrasive Products

Swap your regular toothbrush for a soft-bristled one. It will still provide great results, but be more gentle on your natural teeth and dental implants, and avoid scratching the surface.

Also, consider using non-abrasive toothpaste for the same reasons. Gentle products help maintain your smile healthy for longer.

3. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods

Eating lots of hard foods requires placing lots of pressure on your teeth and implants, which over time can wear them down faster. Reducing them keeps your smile healthier. These foods can include nuts, chips, crackers, or even chewing on ice.

Sticky foods pose a whole different problem. They can be very difficult to remove from your teeth and implants, and if you don’t brush your teeth right after, you can increase your risk of developing cavities and gum disease over time.

4. Use a Mouthguard

A mouthguard can protect your teeth and implants if you grind your teeth while sleeping, or when playing sports. You can get a custom mouthguard at the dentist that will fit perfectly and be comfortable enough to sleep in.

4. Schedule Routine Dental Visits

At-home care is essential, but it’s also limited. For even better protection, you should see a dentist near you once every six months or so for a routine appointment.

During them, your dentist will screen your oral health and clean your teeth to remove food and particles even from those hard-to-reach areas. This reduces the risk of dental damage and gives the dentist time to treat any issue before it progresses.

Find Out If Implants Are Right for You

Come see Dr. Daiana Atari for a short consultation to see if dental implants are the best way to restore your smile.

Tap into your personalized smile restoration by scheduling a visit to Smileplicity Dentistry online, or call us at (919) 298-2308 to find out more about our services.