Dental implants are an excellent way to maintain the appearance and functionality of a healthy tooth. Other solutions, such as bridges, can potentially damage healthy teeth and gums. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean that your dental implants don't need to be maintained. There are a few steps that you may want to take following the healing of your dental implant.

Keep a Close Eye During Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Many people may falsely assume that they don't need to brush their dental implant or brush around it. While it is a synthetic material, that doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be cleaned. Not only will an uncleaned dental implant contribute to bacteria and plaque inside of your mouth, but not properly cleaning it could lead to gum infections or receding gums. Since you cannot feel a dental implant like you might feel pressure on an ordinary tooth, you should take additional care when cleaning your dental implant to make sure that you've covered all surfaces.

Use the Right Tools

In general, it's best to use a softer toothbrush -- whether you're using a manual brush or an electronic. Many dentists today recommend soft toothbrushes for all patients, as medium to hard toothbrushes can abrade the surface of the tooth. Dental implants may not be as hardy as your natural teeth, so they will be more likely to wear down over time when a harder toothbrush is being used. 

Floss Thoroughly and Look for Blood

As you floss around your dental implants and in other areas of your mouth, you should pay attention to any particularly uncomfortable spots or significant bleeding. A dental implant is a foreign object, so it can be susceptible to infection. Because there are no roots in and around this implant, you may not actually feel the infection early on. Significant bleeding while flossing could indicate something is wrong with your gum tissue. 

Don't Forget Your Annual Exam

Dental implants may shift just like normal teeth following surgery -- and there can be complications around your gum line. In order to avoid any costly medical issues, you should consider going to the dentist on an annual or semi-annual basis for a thorough cleaning. Not only will they be able to identify and diagnose any issues with your implant, but they will also take preventative measures so that you can avoid having to get another one!

A dental implant is often the optimal solution for those who are either missing a tooth or need to have a tooth pulled. While they may not be entirely maintenance free, they still are exceptionally low maintenance. For more information about dental implants, you can consult your local dental surgeon.

For dental implants, visit an office such as Oral Surgery Associates Inc.