How to care for Dental Implant and Maintenance (2024)

by Dentist Inglewood

Dental implants are a highly effective solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring normal dental function. They are designed to mimic the natural look and feel of real teeth, and when cared for properly, they can last for many years. However, in order to ensure that your dental implants remain healthy and functional, it is important to understand the basics of dental implant care.

Proper care for dental implants includes maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing regularly. It is also important to see your dentist at New Image Dental in Inglewood for regular checkups and cleanings, as well as any necessary adjustments or repairs. In addition to these basic care steps, it is also important to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these habits can increase the risk of complications and infections related to dental implants.

Another important aspect of dental implant care is avoiding hard or sticky foods, as well as biting or chewing on hard objects, as these can cause damage to the implant or the surrounding bone. It is also important to be mindful of how you use your teeth, particularly if you have a tendency to grind or clench them, as this can also cause damage to your dental implants.

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and restore normal dental function, but they do require proper care to ensure that they last for many years. This includes maintaining good oral hygiene, seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and being mindful of your diet and how you use your teeth. With proper care, dental implants can provide a beautiful and functional smile for a lifetime.

The Importance of Proper Hygiene and Dental Implant Care

Just like natural teeth, dental implants require proper dental hygiene. Poor care allows bacteria to build around the implant and increases the risk for an infection known as peri-implantitis.

If untreated, the infection causes the implant to separate from the gums and causes bone loss in the surrounding teeth. Keeping your implant clean of plaque, build-up and bacteria help prevent this potentially serious infection.

Bleeding around the implant is a sign that you are at risk for peri-implantitis, so it is important to schedule a visit with your dentist if you notice any blood.

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How to Take Care of Your Dental Implants

Dental implants require brushing and flossing which is a bit more extensive than the processes for natural teeth. Here are some tips to modify these habits to best accommodate your implants:

• Your gum line is at risk for bacteria and build-up. Tapered toothbrushes are properly shaped to care for this area.
• Gentle brush strokes and soft bristles are necessary to prevent inflammation and the loosening of the implant.
• Non-abrasive, tartar control toothpaste is best suited to care for the surface of the implant. Avoid toothpaste with baking soda, too much fluoride, and those designed for smokers.
• Cleaning between teeth is particularly important, so flossing once or twice daily is a key step to proper care of dental implants.
• Dental tape is the recommended floss for implant care. Use the floss to surround the tooth with a “u” shape and carefully move in a shoe-shine motion.
• Other tools to care for the area between your teeth are water picks, interdental toothbrushes, and soft picks. It is critical that these tools be gentle, and your dentist will help you decide which tool is best for you.
• To prevent bacteria build-up, use gentle, antimicrobial mouthwashes once or twice daily.
• If your implant is removable, you can use a soft toothbrush to thoroughly clean the tooth while it is out of your mouth.

The Importance of Dental Visits

Our Los Angeles dental office has special tools to care for your dental implants. Softer scales and curettes are specifically designed to scrape the build-up on the implant.

The dentists at New Image Dental may also use ultrasonic cleansers on your teeth. These tools use vibration to safely loosen significant plaque, tartar, and bacteria on the implant.

X-rays also reveal if there is too much build-up. Because the cleanliness of your implants is so important, be sure to visit your dentist every 3 to 6 months.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and have dental implants or are considering them call (310) 216-9600. In our office, we have seen many patients who need a root canal and crowns as well dental implants.