Dental Implant Care

Dental implants are a revolutionary way to restore gaps in your smile caused by missing teeth. Their tooth-colored aesthetic appearance makes it impossible for others to differentiate them from your natural smile.

Dental implants enrich your smile and your self-confidence because you’ll never have to worry about them falling out or shifting around in your mouth. Speaking, eating, and socializing is much more appealing with a dental-implant-restored smile.

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A superior benefit of dental implants is that they’re easy to care for. Basically, the way you keep your natural teeth clean is the same way you’ll keep your dental implants clean. By simply brushing twice a day and flossing after meals and snacks, your dental implants can last you a lifetime.

The only difference you need to consider when caring for your dental implants versus your natural teeth is you should choose soft, non-abrasive hygiene products. If you don’t, you could scratch your implants and irritate the soft gum tissue around them.

Selecting the Right Toothbrush & Toothpaste

When selecting a toothbrush it’s important to find one that has soft or extra soft bristles. The softer the bristles, the less likely you are to scratch the porcelain crown or the titanium implant. Electric and traditional toothbrushes are equally as acceptable, as long as you brush for at least two minutes and cover the surface of each tooth.

For toothpaste, it’s important to remember that there are some brands that contain abrasive ingredients. In order to protect your dental implants and the tissue that supports them, you should avoid whitening toothpaste as well as any that contain baking soda. With continual use, baking soda can damage your enamel. Additionally, baking soda doesn’t contain fluoride, which helps strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities.

Choosing the Right Dental Floss

The next oral hygiene product to consider is dental floss. Flossing is an essential part of maintaining good dental health. It removes plaque and debris from spots that your toothbrush can’t reach. When flossing with dental implants only use nylon-coated floss because it’s meant to glide gently on your soft tissue. There are also a few companies that sell floss specifically for use with dental implants.

How About the Right Mouthwash?

Using antibacterial mouthwash will significantly increase your mouth’s ability to fend off gum disease. Much like the products above, there are two things you want to stay away from when considering a mouthwash: mouthwash with alcohol and teeth whitening mouthwash. Teeth whitening mouthwash contains abrasive ingredients and mouthwash with alcohol can cause dry mouth—saliva is your mouth’s first line of defense when fighting off dangerous bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for dental implants following the surgery?

The first two weeks after the procedure, especially the first 48 hours, is a crucial time for you to take proper care of your mouth to ensure your implants heal properly. As your implants heal, you may experience soreness or discomfort in your jaw and mouth. 

Dr. Hoffman recommends the following tips:

• Rinse with salt water 2-3 times a day
• Avoid smoking and alcohol for the first three days of recovery
• Brush with a gentle toothbrush
• Apply ice if inflammation occurs
• Keep physical activity to a minimum
• Eat softer foods until sensitivity is eliminated

Does food get under dental implants?

Dental implants have contours and grooves that mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. Like natural teeth, food can accumulate in these grooves, under the gum line, and in between teeth. If the food isn’t removed, it can turn into plaque and increase your risk of an infection at your implant site or oral diseases.

That’s why it’s crucial to develop a healthy oral hygiene routine immediately after receiving your new teeth. In addition to brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals, you’ll want to schedule biannual appointments at our Lincoln office. During these visits, we’ll perform a professional cleaning and examine your oral health. 

Dr. Hoffman will assess the integrity of your implants to ensure they’re in excellent condition. We’ll also recommend any tips to improve your oral care routine to keep your smile in the best of health.