Dental Implant Maintenance: How to Take Care of Your New Tooth

Dental implants require care, just like natural teeth. A well-maintained dental implant may last as long as 10 or 20 years. Without proper care, the dental implant may need to be replaced sooner. Knowing how to take care of your dental implant and what you can do to keep it looking and performing its best will help you avoid problems that could require your implant to be replaced. Here’s what you need to know.

Clean Your Implant Twice Daily

Dental implants need to be cleaned twice a day, just like your regular teeth. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent your dental implant from getting scratched, and a low abrasive toothpaste as well. They make toothbrushes and toothpaste specifically for implants, which you may use. Follow your dentist’s advice!

Use Floss For Implants

Some dental floss companies make floss specifically designed for use with implants. You can use floss designed for implants, or you can just use unwaxed floss. Your dentist can show you how to floss around your implant if you have questions. Floss once per day when you floss your other teeth, or more often as needed.

Use an Oral Rinse Without Alcohol

If you use an oral rinse, read the label to find out whether your oral rinse contains alcohol. If it does, you’ll need to switch to a brand that doesn’t. If you’re not sure whether the oral rinse of your choice contains alcohol, then you should check with your dentist in Canoga Park, Valencia or Palmdale, CA to get a recommendation for the type of oral rinse that’s best.

Avoid Tooth Whitening

Your dental implant cannot be whitened, which means that if you whiten your teeth, your dental implant may stay the same color while your teeth get lighter. Avoid any tooth-whitening procedures to ensure that your teeth and implant will stay the same color. This includes at-home tooth whitening kits and dental whitening.

See the Dentist Regularly

Your dentist will be able to identify if something is going wrong with your dental implant in Valencia, Canoga Park or Palmdale, CA. Keep up with your regular dental appointments to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. Call today to make an appointment for teeth cleaning.