4 Things You Can Do to Take Care of Your New Implant

Congratulations on your new dental implant! You may be happy to hear that taking care of your new dental implant is not that different from caring for your natural teeth. As your dentist in Valencia, West Valley and Palmdale, CA, the professionals at Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers are committed to your dental health, and we’re happy to help you learn how to care for your new implant. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Brush twice daily and maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home.
Maintaining good oral hygiene at home is the first step to taking good care of your teeth. Brush twice each day with non-abrasive toothpaste. Not sure which toothpaste is best? Talk to your dentist about which toothpastes are the best for maintaining good oral hygiene. At the same time, ask your dentist to show you how to floss appropriately around your tooth.

2. See your dentist twice annually.
Going to the dentist twice annually was important before you got dental implants, and it’s just as important after implants are installed. See your dentist twice per year to get a check-up, have plaque and tartar removed from your teeth, and to ensure that your dental implant is still in good condition.

3. Don’t whiten your teeth.
Whitening your teeth can make them brighter and more beautiful, but whitening won’t change the appearance of your implant. In fact, your implant was selected to match the color of your teeth. If you whiten your teeth, the result could be an implant that’s one color and natural teeth that are another color.

4. Watch for signs of a problem.
Your dental implant will most likely be a success. However, it’s important to recognize the signs of a problem. Watch for any persistent discomfort around your implant, gum recession, and swelling, inflammation, or bleeding. Knowing when your dental implant is having a problem could prompt you to get help quickly, and that can prevent the problem from getting worse.

Need more information about dental implants in Valencia, West Valley and Palmdale, CA? Call Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers to make an appointment with one of our dental professionals.