10th April 2020

Tips for Caring for Dental Implants: Part 1

If you’ve had dental implants – whether here at Crescent Lodge Dental Practice, a dentist in Clapham Common, or somewhere else – you’ll no doubt be interested in our tips for caring for your dental implants in the long term. After all, with proper care, they can last a whole lifetime.

In this post, we’ll go through a few tips for caring for your dental implants. Of course, you can always pop into our dentists in person if you have any further questions – and we also have Part 2 of our tips here.

Tip 1: brush up well

Brushing your teeth is so important – and even though your dental implants are a kind of ‘fake’ teeth, they’ll need the same great attention to detail that you show the rest of your smile. Why? Because bacteria and plaque can still build up on the surface, as well as in the small gaps between your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice a day – which we advise to all our patients, regardless of their age, the state of their dental health and whether they have tooth implants or not – is of top importance.

Tip 2: don’t forget the floss

Flossing is a great way to get into those tiny spaces between teeth, as well as your tooth implants. While you may not notice any gaps in your smile, bacteria are microscopic and can fit inside spaces that you can’t even spot with the naked eye. You could try dental floss, dental tape, or even interdental brushes to work into those little nooks and crannies – talk to your dentist about what option is best for you and your tooth implants.

Tip 3: mouthwash is a must

Using mouthwash is a great way to ensure your teeth have the fluoride needed to give them adequate protection from plaque. If you usually use your mouthwash in combination with brushing, try using it at a different time – such as after eating – instead. Not only will this give you instant fresh breath, but it could help dislodge food particles that could cause plaque. We advise using mouthwash on its own, so it doesn’t wash away the protection of your toothpaste. Finally, it’s good to know that mouthwash isn’t a substitute for brushing or flossing. Ideally, all three should work together to keep your mouth happy and healthy.

Of course, we have even more excellent tips caring for your dental implants in London. Visit Part 2 of our blog here to find out more, and don’t forget to arrange an appointment at our dentists here in Clapham Common if you need a check-up or simply book online.