It’s important that you properly care for your new tooth to ensure that it lasts a long time.

Getting a dental implant can take several months of treatments and patience, but as many dental implant wearers will tell you, it’s definitely worth it in the end. After all, there is no other restoration that will more closely function like or resemble a real tooth. Of course, the goal of our San Leandro, CA, cosmetic dentist, Dr. Stephen Moy, is to make sure that your new implant lasts as long as possible, which means following these helpful tips:

Treat Implants Like Real Teeth

Since implants are made to look and function like real teeth you should also treat them like real teeth. This is a good rule of thumb when it comes to the care and maintenance you offer your implant. If you treat it just like you do the rest of your smile and maintain good oral hygiene then there is no reason why you shouldn’t have your implant for many years to come.

Brush and Floss Regularly

Part of treating your implant like a real tooth is also cleaning it like it’s one. This means brushing and flossing your entire mouth, even your artificial tooth. Brush twice a day (ideally, try to brush between each meal) and floss daily to remove plaque buildup from the gumline and around the tooth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean your teeth.

There’s No Need to Be Aggressive

Some people are literally hard on their teeth every time they brush. You don’t have to press hard or scrub teeth aggressively to get them thoroughly clean, and the same goes for cleaning your dental implant. Being too aggressive when brushing can wear away teeth and may even cause damage over time. Remember that the dental crown that’s attached to the implant isn’t impervious to damage.

Visit Your Dentist for Routine Checkups

One of the most important things you can do once you get your implant is to keep visiting your San Leandro dentist every six months without fail for checkups and routine cleanings. During these exams we can also check the health of your implant to make sure that everything is fine. If something is wrong then we can treat the issue right away before it becomes serious.

If you are interested in getting dental implants in San Leandro, CA, or if you have questions about how to care for your new implant, then don’t hesitate to call Dr. Moy’s office today. We can answer your questions and help you determine the best way to treat your tooth loss.