How to Care for Dental Implants

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When you choose Champagne Smiles for your dental implants, we are by your side throughout the whole process—even after it’s complete! We’ll provide you with detailed instructions and follow up with you regularly to help ensure a fantastic outcome and a restoration that stands the test of time. When it comes to caring for dental implants, you might be relieved to learn that it’s much easier than you expect.

First, Don’t Smoke


During your dental implant consultation, Dr. Champagne will ask you about whether you use tobacco products. If you do, you will be asked to quit prior to your dental implant surgery. This is important, because smoking can impede the healing process and put you at a higher risk for dental implant failure. If you pick up your smoking habit shortly after your implant placement, you’re doing yourself a disservice—if you don’t think you’re in a place to quit smoking right now, plan your surgery for a time when you’re ready to make that commitment.

Use a Soft Toothbrush


A lot of patients love a toothbrush with stiff bristles. We get it—your teeth feel a lot cleaner after a good scrub, but unfortunately, those bristles can cause gum recession and do a lot more harm than good. When you have dental implants, hard bristles can scratch the surface of your restoration, so we recommend finding a nylon toothbrush with soft, gentle bristles. When you brush, don’t use a lot of pressure. Brushing for a full two minutes twice a day eliminates the need for stiff bristles and brushing hard.

Toss Your Baking Soda Toothpaste


Baking soda, charcoal—anything that’s added to your toothpaste to whiten your teeth through abrasion is off-limits when you have dental implants for the same reason we don’t want you using a stiff-bristled toothbrush. These additives will create microscopic scratches in your restoration where bacteria can colonize.

Commit to Flossing Daily


Flossing is important when you have dental implants. While your restorations cannot get cavities, the plaque that builds up around them can put you at risk for gum disease, which is a leading cause of dental implant failure. We can show you how to floss with dental implants and help you choose a type of floss that makes it easy for you. An interdental brush or water flosser can help keep the area around your implants clean too.

Ask for a Nightguard If You Need One


If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, it’s a good idea to get a nightguard to protect both your dental implants and your remaining natural teeth. Not sure if you clench or grind when you’re sleeping? Dr. Champagne can usually tell simply by looking at your teeth. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that your nightguard doesn’t just protect your new dental implant, but also helps you sleep better!

See Us Regularly


Follow up with Champagne Smiles regularly so we can keep your new smile beautiful and healthy. Dental implants are an investment in both time and money, and we want to help you make the most of them.

Schedule an Appointment for Dental Implants in Monmouth County


Are you considering dental implants? If you’re ready to start your journey to better oral health with Dr. Richard Champagne and a truly collaborative and compassionate dental team, contact Champagne Smiles in Morganville, NJ today to schedule your first appointment.

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