How You Should Care for Dental Implants

Dental implants should be cared for in much the same way that you would care for your natural teeth. It is recommended that you brush and floss at least twice a day. Along with practicing proper oral hygiene at home, it is important to visit the dentist every 3-6 months for an exam and cleaning. Your dentist will likely want to take an X-ray once a year in order to examine the implant.

When cleaning your teeth at home, be sure to take extra care when cleaning the implant. Brush all sides of the implant and use floss to get any food particles that may have been trapped around the abutment. It is best to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, but try to avoid using overly abrasive toothpastes. Your dentist may be able to suggest further cleaning aids for keeping your implant in tip-top shape.

If you fail to properly maintain your implant, the first sign of trouble is usually bleeding. This can be treated and reversed if caught early enough, but if it is not, your chances for developing peri-implantitis greatly increase. This disorder is characterized by bone loss and may result in implant failure.

While dental implants are very strong and resilient, they are not completely indestructible. If you suffer from bruxism, the clenching and grinding can cause massive damage to the implants themselves and also to the jaw bone where the implant was fused. Be sure to wear a mouth guard at night in order to prevent irreversible damage.

Should you have any further questions about how to best care for your dental implants, contact our expert in dental implants surgery in Los Angeles to set up an appointment.

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