Easy Ways To Maintain Your Dental Implant

Dental implants function like natural teeth. Surprisingly, most people can't differentiate a dental implant from a natural tooth. And although dental implants are synthetic teeth, you still have to take care of them. So, if you are to have a dental implant, take care of it by following these practices.

Brush and Floss Often 

You should always treat your dental implants like natural teeth. And that means you should brush your teeth as usual. Moreover, you should also clean your teeth after every meal. Apart from brushing, ensure that you floss your teeth in the morning or evening. Give special attention to the base of your implant as it may trap food remains. By doing so, you won't have to fret about plaque buildup and gum diseases.

Ditch Bad Habits

Dental implants are indeed pretty strong and durable. But that doesn't give you permission to misuse them. Remember that dental implants are destructible. As such, you should avoid subjecting them to strenuous activities. So, if you are used to biting your fingernails or chewing candy and tough objects, stop it. Otherwise, you'll be reducing your implant's life span.

Consume Soft Foods

Dental implants should restore your ability to chew foods, but that doesn't mean you should subject them to strenuous jobs. If possible, you should avoid hard-to-chew foods as they might affect your dental implants. As long as the food is tough, avoid it in general. That said, you should stick to soft foods to prevent problems.

Regular Dental Checkups

Most people skip dental checkups after their dental implant procedure. They assume they no longer need the dentist since their problems are over. Well, that's a mistake you should never make. You need the dentist to check whether your dental implants are progressing well or if they have problems. As such, you should attend your dental checkups as usual. Your dentists will offer tips on taking care of or maintaining your dental implants during your scheduled visits.

Switch Your Toothbrush

You may also need to switch your toothbrush after getting a dental implant. Experts recommend using a soft nylon brush to avoid ruining your implants. As such, you should go for a toothbrush with gentle bristles. All in all, you should never use a toothbrush that has hard bristles. Such toothbrushes will ruin the surface of your implants.

Other tips to care for your implants include avoiding smoking, sticky foods, and using abrasive products. Talk to your dentist to learn more about dental implants.