7 Ways to Keep Your Implant Teeth in Great Shape

For many people, implants offer a wonderful opportunity to restore their smile! Implant restorations match natural teeth in strength, functionality, and appearance, making them the ideal solution to replacing lost teeth. Like real teeth, implants need quality maintenance and care to stay in good health.  

If you need help caring for implants, you’ve come to the right place! Dr. Amer Atassi from Acura Dental Implants & Periodontics in Darien, Illinois, offers the following dental implants aftercare tips to keep your new teeth in tip-top shape long-term:

1. Brush Twice Daily to Avoid Plaque Buildup

Implants won’t get cavities, but they can collect plaque and surface stains that dull your smile’s appearance. Brushing keeps your restorations fresh and clean. Use a soft-bristle brush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean your implant teeth twice daily. Brush around the gumline to prevent plaque buildup that can cause gum disease. 

2. Floss Daily 

Flossing removes food particles stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Bits of food caught close to your gumline can cause bacteria to breed, putting you at risk of gum disease. Severe infection of your gum tissues can destroy the bone supporting your implants, causing them to fail.

3. Use an Antibacterial Rinse 

Use an antibacterial rinse to thwart the growth of bacteria around your implant teeth. In addition to protecting your implants, a rinse can freshen your breath and contribute to better oral health.

4. Eat Healthily 

Although implants restore full chewing power to enjoy all kinds of food, not all food is good for you or your teeth. Hard food can cause undue wear on your implant teeth. Sticky food can get stuck between your gums and teeth, posing the risk of bacterial gum infections. Healthy food rich in nutrients that enhance tooth and gum health will help keep your implants strong and healthy.

5. Schedule Biannual Checkups and Cleanings 

Biannual checkups give us a chance to inspect the condition of your teeth periodically to ensure they’re in good health. Professional cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains that give your teeth a dull appearance. Routine checkups and cleanings contribute to a brighter, healthier smile! 

6. Quit Smoking 

Smoking hinders the implant healing process, poses a risk to gum health, and threatens the long-term success of your treatment. If you want to enjoy the benefits of implants over the long haul, try to quit this habit.   

7. Protect Your Teeth from Bruxism 

Bruxism (teeth grinding) can impair the osseointegration process and chip or crack implant teeth prematurely. If you have a problem with bruxism, we recommend using a night guard to protect your upper and lower dental implants from undue wear and tear. Wearing a bruxism night guard can help extend the lifespan of your implant teeth.

Dental Implant Care Near Me

To learn more about the maintenance and care of dental implants in Darien, IL, feel free to contact Dr. Amer Atassi from Acura Dental Implants & Periodontics at (630) 581-0000.