5 Best Ways to Care For Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent solution to replacing missing teeth. Patients frequently want to know if there is anything special they need to do to care for their implants after they have them. Furumoto Dentistry, a family dentist in Diamond Bar, CA, not only performs the surgery for dental implants but also provides patients with excellent post-implant expert advice.
 

1. Treat Your Dental Implants Like Real Teeth

They look like real teeth, so treat them like real teeth. Simply put, brush them to keep them from being stained or discolored. Floss in between implants and natural teeth just as you would if the implants were real teeth. Your gums still need to be kept clean and healthy, so acting like the implants are real keeps the gum tissue healthy and strong.
 

2. Don't Use Your Implants to Open Food Packaging

People are often guilty of using their natural teeth to open cans and food packaging as though their teeth were knives, scissors, or can openers. Do not do that with your implants! Despite the fact that implants are made to be very strong and durable, they can actually be damaged easier than natural teeth. You could chip, fracture, or break an implant using it to open cans or food packages. Use the scissors, knives, or can openers in your home instead.
 

3. Get a Dental Checkup Even If You Have All Implants

It's tempting to assume that just because you have a full mouth of dental implants you no longer need to see a dentist. Don't assume that at all. Your gums and bones of your jaws still need to be kept healthy, or you could end up with lots of loose implants in your mouth.

See your dentist at least once a year to ensure that you are taking proper care of your gums and your overall oral hygiene. When your gums are healthy and the bones are strong, the implants will stay in place for a long time. Only x-rays taken at a dental office and an exam of gum tissue can ensure that you are doing what you are supposed to do to keep the implants fixed and functional.
 

4. If You Damage an Implant, See Your Dentist Immediately

Accidents happen. Physical altercations can happen. Whatever the cause, if you break an implant, see your dentist right away. Never assume that just because it's a fake tooth you shouldn't see a dentist when it breaks. Damage to an implant can potentially expose your mouth to additional injury or possibly infection depending on the severity of the damage to the implant. Your dentist can repair the implant to ensure oral safety.
 

5. Always Use Soft Bristled Toothbrushes and Avoid Eating Really Hard Foods

As soon as it is safe to brush your implants with a toothbrush post-implantation, use soft-bristled brushes only. They are gentle on your gums that have just been through a traumatic event. Additionally, don't eat or chew anything really hard (e.g., tough, overcooked steak or jawbreaker candy). Avoiding such foods and hard-bristled brushes will prevent damage to your implants.
 

Contact Furumoto Dentistry If You Want Dental Implants

Dr. Furumoto has helped many patients correct their smiles via dental implants. If you would like to fill the gaps in your smile with implants, call Furumoto Dentistry, your family dentist in Diamond Bar, for an appointment.