3 Things That You Shouldn't Do If You Have Dental Implants

Dental implants can be a bit of an investment, but they can be totally worth it once you're able to enjoy the smile that you have always wanted. For the most part, you should be able to take care of them the same way that you take care of the rest of your teeth. However, there are a couple of things that you should not do if you want to avoid damaging them. These are a few things that you'll want to be careful about.

1. Bite Down on Hard Foods

First of all, if you are in the habit of biting down on hard things — such as ice or hard candy — you'll probably want to avoid doing so when you have dental implants. Not only is this bad for your natural teeth, but it can be bad for your implants, too, and can cause them to crack or chip. In general, your dental implants should be strong and should last for a long time. However, avoiding biting down on hard things can help prevent a premature accident.

2. Use Regular Floss

It's definitely a good idea to use floss when cleaning your teeth and your dental implants. However, you should be careful about the type of floss that you use. Regular floss can get caught in-between your implant and your gums and can cause problems. Choose instead to use tape-shaped floss, which can be a better choice for use with dental implants. Another option that can be good to look into is a water flosser, similar to what many people with braces use.

3. Use Abrasive Toothpaste

There's a chance that your favorite type of toothpaste has baking soda or another abrasive ingredient in it. The problem with this is that the baking soda or other similar ingredient could scratch your implant. Instead, choose a toothpaste that does not have baking soda and that is not abrasive. Carefully checking the ingredients list on any toothpaste that you are thinking about buying or asking your dentist for suggestions can help you find a good option for your needs.

In general, you should not find it to be too difficult to take good care of your dental implants and keep them looking their best. However, there are some things that you should avoid doing if you want to avoid damaging them. Follow these tips, as well as any advice that you might have been given by your dental care professional, and you can help ensure that you keep them in great shape.

For more information, contact local professionals like John P Poovey DMD PC.

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