Prevent Your Dental Implants From Becoming Stained

Dental implants need regular care and maintenance, just like your natural teeth. Everyday cleanings with the right toothpaste and tools will help you keep your dental implants looking their best without becoming discolored. These tips will help you keep your dental implants looking beautiful, pearly, and white for years to come.

Use the Right Toothpaste

Dental implants are protected by a porcelain glaze. It's hard and shiny, much like porcelain dishes and kitchenware. This glaze can get scratched when it rubs against abrasive cleaners in some standard forms of toothpaste. When it becomes scratched, the finish underneath is worn away and the porous surface beneath is exposed. When this happens, stains can easily begin to build up your implants.

To prevent the glaze from wearing away, use the proper toothpaste. Toothpaste formulated for dental implants is tough enough to wash away the bacteria and food particles, but gentle enough to protect the porcelain glaze. Brush your dental implants like you would brush any other teeth.

Use the Right Tools

Normal toothbrushes can damage dental implants in the same way that normal toothpaste can damage dental implants. If you must use a standard toothbrush, always use a brush with the softest bristles possible. Ideally, you'll look for brushes specifically made for dental implants, called implant brushes, because they're angled to clean the hard to reach areas of your implants without scratching them.

Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily and Immediately After Consuming Staining Foods

Brush your dental implants twice a day when you brush your natural teeth, in the morning after waking and in the evening before bed. In addition, carry around your toothpaste and brushes (in your purse, brief case or car) to clean your implants after eating foods that are known to stain. Acidic foods like coffee and red wine are especially problematic for many implant patients.  Keep your consumption of these foods to a minimum, if at all possible.

Use a Variety of Tools

Using a variety of tools will help your implants get cleaned in a variety of ways, reducing chances of stains. Use these tools to clean your implants:

  • Implant wash. This is mouthwash designed specifically for people with implants.
  • Interdental brushes. Interdental brushes can safely clean between teeth, preventing stains from building up around the edge where the gums meet the implants.
  • Unwaxed floss. Floss can prevent food from staying between your teeth and contributing to stains.

For more information about how you can prevent your implants from staining, speak with a dentist such as Eden Prairie Dental Care


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