If you have dental implants, you probably love the fact that they make your smile look great, and you probably want to ensure that they look great for as long as possible. Luckily, dental implants are designed to last for a long time, but if you don't take proper care of them, they can wear out before they are supposed to. These are a few care tips that you can follow if you want to prevent damaging your dental implants.
1. Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste
Many toothpastes are actually abrasive. The abrasive ingredients are designed to scrub your teeth better with the idea that they will get rid of surface stains. However, these abrasive agents can actually cause scratches on your dental implants if you aren't careful, so you will want to avoid toothpastes that contain them. You won't want to use "smoker's toothpaste," which can be harsher and more abrasive than other types of toothpaste since it's designed to get rid of the staining that can go along with tobacco use, and you will also want to avoid toothpaste that has baking soda in it. If you are having trouble looking for a gentle toothpaste that is not abrasive, consider asking your dentist for direction; he or she might have an option in the office that can work well at cleaning your dental implants while preventing scratching and other damage.
2. Skip the Regular Floss
Flossing is good when you have dental implants -- or even if you don't -- because it can get rid of food particles that get in-between the teeth or implants. However, regular floss can actually cause damage to your dental implant, so you'll want to use a "tape-style" floss rather than string. An even better option is to use a water flosser, similar to what many people use when they have braces, to get rid of food particles without damaging your implants.
3. Use a Soft Toothbrush
Don't assume that a toothbrush with stiffer bristles is going to be the better choice for cleaning your implants. Instead, use a soft toothbrush, since it is gentler and will be less likely to scratch your implants.
As you can see, there are a few care tips that can help you avoid scratching or otherwise damaging your dental implants. If you follow these tips and follow any other care tips that your dentist might have given you, you should be able to enjoy your dental implants for a long time to come.
