Reviewed by Dr. Kerri Font, DDS
Reading time: four minutes.
Dental implants are a fantastic solution to replace missing teeth and regain a beautiful, natural-looking smile. However, like natural teeth, they require proper care to stay healthy and strong.
If you recently had dental implant surgery, or you are considering it, it is important to understand the steps you need to take to ensure the long-term success of your implants.
This blog post provides 10 essential tips for keeping your dental implants healthy and ensuring they last a lifetime.
Table of Contents
- 1. Follow Proper Oral Hygiene Practices
- 2. Schedule Regular Dental Visits
- 3. Avoid Chewy and Hard Foods
- 4. Use Proper Brushing Techniques
- 5. Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet
- 6. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
- 7. Report Any Potential Issues Immediately
- Highlands Ranch Periodontics: Your Partner in Dental Implant Health
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaway
Proper care and maintenance of your dental implants—including daily oral hygiene, regular checkups, and healthy lifestyle choices—are essential for ensuring their long-term success. By staying proactive and attentive to your oral health, you can enjoy a strong, beautiful smile for years to come.
1. Follow Proper Oral Hygiene Practices
A good oral hygiene routine is the best way to protect your investment. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, which can compromise your implant’s success. So if you want your implants to last a lifetime, you must have a good oral hygiene routine.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.
- Floss daily with an interdental brush, a water flosser or dental tape.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help balance the bacteria in your mouth. Avoid anything that contains alcohol or has teeth-whitening ingredients.
2. Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Regular visits to your dentist allow them to monitor the health of your implants and the surrounding gum tissue.
- Schedule dental checkups at least every six months.
- Consider more frequent visits if your dentist recommends them.
3. Avoid Chewy and Hard Foods
Chewy and hard foods can put unnecessary stress on your dental implants and the implant restoration(s).
Do not chew on ice or hard candies as these can scratch, chip or break the dental restorations and put a lot of strain on your implants. Your implants are very strong but just like your natural teeth, they aren’t unbreakable!
4. Use Proper Brushing Techniques
If you are using a manual tooth, make sure the bristles are soft. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage the gums and even cause gum recession. Brush in a soft, circular motion for at least two minutes.
If you are using an electric toothbrush, make sure you are using it the way it was intended to be used! A circular head will do the work for you! Slowly move the toothbrush along the front surfaces of your teeth at a 45-degree angle.
If you are using a sonic toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle and slowly pass it along your teeth. The vibrating head moves side-to-side at high speeds, so don’t “brush”, let it do the work for you!
5. Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet
Water helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria, maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your implants. Staying hydrated also helps to prevent dry mouth, a condition that can lead to a host of dental issues, including increased plaque buildup and potential gum disease.
A nutritious diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants strengthens your immune system, aids tissue regeneration, and supports bone health—factors that are integral to the stability and integration of your implants.
Consuming foods high in calcium, like dairy products and leafy green vegetables, along with vitamin D-rich sources, ensures strong jaw bones, which are essential for the implants to function effectively.
6. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have been linked to gum disease, bone loss, and implant failure. The chemicals in tobacco can also cause staining on your implant restoration(s).
In addition to negatively impacting your oral health, smoking and drinking excessively can also compromise your overall well-being. Making the choice to quit or limit these habits will not only benefit your implants but also improve your overall health.
7. Report Any Potential Issues Immediately
If you experience persistent pain, minor bleeding, or feel that your implant has become loose, contact your dentist right away. Prompt treatment can prevent further complications and ensure the long-term success of your implants.
Highlands Ranch Periodontics: Your Partner in Dental Implant Health
We are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible results. Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, from surgery to long-term care, ensuring your implants remain strong and healthy.
If you are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with us today at our periodontists’ office in Highlands Ranch, CO. Call (303) 683-1144 or complete the online inquiry form.