Tips for Maintaining Dental Implants

Posted on 8/1/2024 by Life Long Dental

Diagram of a dental implant in the lower jaw.

Dental implants can beautifully fix your smile if you are missing teeth. But you need to take good care of implants and clean them regularly like natural teeth. This is important to keep the implants healthy and make them last a long time. Use these tips to help keep your implants in great condition and working well.

Brush and Floss Daily

Thoroughly brush implant-supported teeth, crowns, and bridges each day. Take care to gently floss between teeth, crowns, and around the implant posts. Daily brushing and flossing removes plaque that can lead to infections and inflammation if allowed to build up.

Watch Your Diet

Avoid sticky, crunchy, and hard foods that could crack, damage, or dislodge implant restorations. Limit sugary foods and drinks that feed harmful plaque bacteria. Drink plenty of fluoridated water and limit staining teas, coffees, wines, and sodas.

Quit Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of dental implant failure and complications. The chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco can harm oral tissues and inhibit healing. Ask your dentist about smoking cessation programs to protect your implants.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Get professional cleanings and exams every six months or as often as your dentist recommends. Routine maintenance appointments will catch any issues early before they become serious problems. Report any implant pain, swelling, damage, or other concerns promptly.

Practice Low-Force Habits

Avoid using your implants to chew hard items like ice or tear open packaging. Adjust habits of grinding teeth to minimize excessive bite forces on implants. Use a night guard if you have bruxism.

Clean Using Non-Metal Tools

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, plastic flossers, and water picks around implants. Metal dental tools could scratch or damage the implant surface, which can encourage bacteria growth.

Caring for your implants properly will help them last for many years. Be diligent about daily hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoiding damage to keep your implants functioning beautifully.

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3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383

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Tuesday-Friday: 7:30am–4:30pm

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3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383

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Dental Blog - Silverdale, WA • Life Long Dental
Dr. Gillespie has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Did you like a topic? Please contact us today! Life Long Dental is your dentist in Silverdale, WA.
Life Long Dental, 3100 NW Bucklin Hill Rd, Suite 209, Silverdale, WA 98383 | (360) 633-2377 | lifelongdental.com | 10/3/2024 | Key Phrases: Dentist Silverdale WA |