A lot of people will get dental implants in North Seattle. They’re a great way to protect your smile when something happens to your regular teeth. They only last for as long as you care for them, though.
It’s important to take steps afterward to ensure the longevity of your dental implants. After all, your dentist won’t want to refer you onto a specialist again if you can’t look after them the first time. Plus, you’re wasting money if you don’t care for them. Here are the top tips to protect your dental implants.
Switch Your Toothbrush to a Softer One
Do you have a hard-bristled toothbrush? There’s a common misconception that harder bristles are better for cleaning the teeth. They’re actually damaging the enamel on your teeth, and this is even worse when you have dental implants in North Seattle. You need to switch to something soft.
Soft toothbrushes will still clean well. You’ll still be able to get into some of the crevices on your teeth, and you’ll remove the buildup of food during the day. You’ll just protect the outer layer of your teeth, especially on your implants.
Watch Out for the Toothpaste
Likewise, you’ll want to look at the type of toothpaste you use. There are a lot of abrasive options out there, which are designed to help whiten the teeth and remove stains and buildup. The problem is they’ll damage your dental implants in North Seattle.
You need to get softer toothpastes. Look out for speciality ones, and ask your dentist for recommendations for your dental implants. You’ll avoid damaging your enamel and the coating on your implants.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
It shouldn’t be too surprising to hear that brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day is important. This is something you should do before dental implants in North Seattle. You definitely want to do it afterward.
Your teeth are weaker and your gums can be sensitive after the dental implants. Look out for flavored products and limit the use of alcoholic mouthwashes as they can cause problems.
Skip the Sticky Foods
Certain foods can cause problems for your dental implants in North Seattle. Sticky foods are the worst. They will leave a layer behind on your teeth, potentially weakening the layer of the implants. They can also cause chipping and cracks in the implants, leading to you needing repairs.
Hot food can also be a problem. They can lead to the shape of the implants changing.
Wear a Mouth Guard
Does your dentist talk to you about teeth grinding? If tis is the case, you need to take it seriously, especially for your implants.
Teeth grinding weakens the teeth and causes the shapes to change. If you do it in your sleep, you can’t prevent it. You need to prevent the damage instead, and that means wearing a mouthguard.
When you get dental implants in North Seattle, you want to care for them for life. Change some of the ways you life to protect them.
