How Our Houston Cosmetic Dentist Recommends You Take Care Of Your Dental Implants

At our Houston cosmetic dentist office, dental implants are often a very necessary procedure to restore and improve the patient’s smile. However, if you’ve read our blog about how our Houston cosmetic dental implant procedure is performed, then you know it’s a process and great care must be taken in order to maintain the implant's integrity and the health of your new smile. Here is how our Houston cosmetic dentist recommends you take care of your dental implant.

Why Do Dental Implants Require Extra Care?

A dental implant is a metal post that we install into the gumline. It needs to fuse to the jaw, which takes time, in order to support a dental crown that will sit atop the post. 

Implant Support

Because the implant is underneath the gum line, it is essential to maintain good gum health and bone health. This ensures your gums and surrounding teeth can continue to support the implant. 

Avoiding Dental Implant Destruction

Although you can’t get cavities in dental implants, they are subject to peri-implantitis, which is an inflammatory issue that affects the tissues surrounding the implant. Bacteria can form and, if unaddressed, can turn into a hard substance known as calculus. Calculus can very easily destroy the implant support, eventually rendering the dental implant useless.

How To Take Care Of Houston Dental Implants And Encourage Their Longevity

The key to protecting your dental implant is to prevent plaque and calculus build-up. To do so, these are the following steps you should take.

Buy The Right Toothbrush

Both electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes are acceptable to use, but make sure they are soft-bristled and that you brush your teeth adequately, for 2 minutes. We recommend using a toothpaste that is non-abrasive, so avoid whitening toothpaste. Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle in small, circular motions, spending about 30 seconds in each quadrant of the mouth.

Use Dental Implant-Friendly Floss

Water flossers are a popular method of flossing between teeth. However, there is a learning curve associated with learning how to use water flossers, as you need to use it on low pressure and with the right technique. Alternatively, there are other types of floss on the market that are designed for use with Houston dental implants.

Wear A Dental Appliance That Protects Your Teeth

Retainers and occlusal guards, which may sometimes be referred to as night guards, are often recommended to dental implant patients by our Houston cosmetic dentist so they can avoid grinding their teeth while sleeping. This further protects the implant from damage.

Speak With Our Houston Cosmetic Dentist About Caring For Your Dental Implants

The Houston dental implant procedure successfully improves your smile when properly taken care of. If you recently got dental implants and wish to check that you’re healing properly and taking good care of them, please book an appointment with our Houston cosmetic dentist. We will recommend further action you can take to maintain your new smile.