Over 3 million Americans have dental implants and this number will only continue to rise in the coming years. That’s because dental implants provide a lifelike and long-term tooth replacement option that mimics the function and look of a real tooth. Of course, once you’ve turned to our Arlington, VA, cosmetic dentist, Dr. Joseph Reed, to receive a dental implant, you want it to last the rest of your life. Here are some tips to follow to keep your implant in tip-top shape:
Caring for a Single Dental Implant
In order to clean your dental implant, you will need a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. When caring for your dental implant, make sure that you are:
- Brushing at least twice a day: Once in the morning and at night before bed. You should treat your implant just like you do your natural teeth and brush often.
- Floss once a day: While brushing can remove bacteria and plaque from the front and back surfaces of your implant crown, flossing is the best way to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth—brushing alone isn’t enough.
- Avoid abrasive toothpaste: Some toothpaste forms, such as whitening toothpaste, may contain certain abrasives, like baking soda, which can wear away porcelain crown implants over time. It’s important to ask your Arlington, VA, dentist which is the best toothpaste for safely cleaning your dental implant and to check all ingredients carefully before buying.
Caring for Overdentures
If you have dentures attached to your dental implants, this is how to properly care for them:
- Make sure that you are brushing your dentures gently at least once a day. Use a denture-specific toothbrush that offers two different sets of bristles designed to clean normal surfaces as well as hard-to-reach spots. Since toothpaste can scratch the dentures, make sure to use only a mild soap or cleanser when cleaning your false teeth.
- Always rinse your dentures thoroughly after brushing/soaking, before putting them back in your mouth.
- Remove and soak your dentures overnight, which can help retain the shape of your false teeth longer.
Our Arlington, VA, dental team wants you to know exactly how to care for your dental implant all on your own to preserve your beautiful smile for many years. Of course, we understand that accidents still happen. If you break your implant crown or experience a toothache, know that Arlington Dental is still handling dental emergencies at this time. For urgent care, please call (817) 303-5700.