After your dental implants are installed, it is vital that you take care of them properly! 

You may be wondering what foods to avoid with dental implants or how long should dental implants last – here’s everything you need to know.

Caring for Dental Implants 101

Believe it or not, dental implant aftercare is similar to taking care of your natural teeth. You should be brushing your teeth, flossing, and using a mouth rinse to care for your oral hygiene. 

Make sure to use a soft-bristle brush as well as a low abrasive toothpaste. 

Flossing becomes even more important, though, as you have to floss between the connective pieces that attach to your dental implants (also known as abutments). 

You should also use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to decrease the risk of implant infection.

Proactive care makes a huge difference in maintaining and caring for your dental implants. 

If you are not sure which brands or styles of dental tools to use on your dental implants, it’s always best to ask your periodontist for recommendations! 

Watch What You Eat

Dental implant aftercare does not stop with oral hygiene basics. When it comes to food, you can virtually consume whatever you would like, with a few caveats. 

If you enjoy hot coffee or tea, make sure to let it cool down as your implants may be more sensitive than natural teeth. 

You should also avoid any foods that are hard or sticky, including gum and candy. If you are an ice-chewer, you’ll also need to kick that habit as ice can easily damage your dental implants.

Stop Smoking

Just like your natural teeth can be affected by smoking, your dental implants can, too. As a part of your implant care routine, you should stop smoking BEFORE your implants are installed. 

Smoking can slow down the healing process drastically, causing your immediate post-care to be more difficult. 

For long-term health, cutting your smoking habit is the best option to keep your body and oral hygiene in tip-top condition.

Visit Your Dentist and Periodontist

Caring for dental implants isn’t as different as caring for your natural teeth, so it is still important that you visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. 

Dentists and periodontists can monitor your healing progress after installation and over the course of the dental implants’ lifetime. Just as your natural teeth can get cavities and rot away, your dental implants can also fail if they aren’t taken care of properly. 

Make sure you visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning to ensure your dental implants can last as long as possible. 

If you are looking for dental implants in Jenkintown, Barry P. Levin, DMD is your go-to dental implant and periodontal specialist. 

Take Control of Your Oral Hygiene Today!

With the improvement of procedures and technology, dental implants are becoming more and more common. 

If you are ready to take the next step and need dental implants in Jenkintown, our team at Barry P. Levin, DMD is standing by to take your call.