We have outlined everything you need to know about maintaining your dental implants in the best possible condition.

There are many benefits of dental implants:

  • implants are the only permanent solution for replacing missing teeth
  • you can chew and speak more naturally that you can with dentures
  • maintaining your dental implants does not require an extensive routine, as is the case with dentures

If you are interested in getting dental implants, please contact us to book the next available consultation with a professional prosthodontist.

Maintaining your dental implants only requires standard oral hygiene habits:

1. Brush your teeth regularly with a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste

Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is the best way to take care of your dental implants and natural teeth. Most dental implants problems or complications, including dental infections, are incurred by poor dental hygiene habits. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day. Ideally, you should use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and brush continuously for two minutes.

2. Floss around your teeth carefully to remove plaque and bacteria

In addition to regular brushing, flossing your teeth on a regular basis is crucial to maintain your dental implants in the best possible condition. In particular, maintaining your dental implants means keeping your gum line clean. Flossing on a regular basis will remove plaque and bacteria, thus helping to prevent gum disease and implant infections.

You can use dental floss, dental tape, a floss pick, or an oral irrigator. It is important that you are able to reach the more difficult areas of your mouth to ensure you clean the length of your gum line.

3. Use a mouthwash to make sure you are maintaining your dental implants

Including a mouthwash or oral rinse is a simple way to enhance your oral health and ensure you are maintaining your dental implants in the best possible condition. Many people assume that using a mouthwash or oral rinse is just to prevent bad breath. However, a mouthwash will also kill bacteria that are lingering in your mouth.

We recommend that you use a mouthwash twice a day, after brushing and flossing. All you need to do is swish the oral rinse around your mouth for thirty seconds, and then spit it out into the bathroom sink. Mouthwash is not meant to be ingested, so you should not swallow it.

4. See your dentist for regular checkups and cleaning appointments

A crucial part of maintaining your dental implants is to schedule regular dental checkups and cleans. When we refer to regular visits, we recommend that you should visit your dentist every six months. However, if you have any problems or concerns, it is important that you schedule a dental checkup immediately. If you experience any pain, notice an odour, or have some difficulty chewing and/or speaking, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible.

5. Avoid sugary foods, chewing gum, and biting down on hard objects

Sugar creates a breeding ground for bacteria. This, in turn, increases your risk of developing an infection in or near your dental implants. Therefore, it is best to limit foods that are high in sugar. In addition, maintaining your dental implants also means avoiding chewing gum and biting hard substances like ice and hard candy. These kinds of items can damage your dental implants.

6. Quit smoking

Whether or not you have dental implants, we advise all our patients to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. Both of these habits have a detrimental effect on teeth, gums, and dental implants. In fact, they are associated with a much higher risk of infection. If you are interested in maintaining your dental implants, you need to quit smoking or chewing tobacco.

7. Monitor your calcium intake

Your dental implants are fused to your jawbone. Therefore, part of maintaining your dental implants means preventing bone loss and ensuring your bones remain strong. Assess you diet and make sure that it contains your daily recommended serving of calcium. This is an important part of long term dental implant care.

As you can see, maintaining your dental implants is very straightforward. As long as your practice good dental hygiene habits, quit smoking, follow a healthy diet and schedule regular dental checkups, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy your new smile for many years to come! If you have any queries or would like to book a consultation, please contact us today!