Dental implants are a big investment in your smile and long-term health. That’s why it’s important to make sure you are taking care of them just as if they were your natural teeth. To make sure your dental implants in Chester, NJ remain functional for many years, our periodontist, Dr. Thomas Bissell, recommends you follow these 5 steps:

1. Establish oral hygiene habits. The number one cause of ailing or failing dental implants is peri-implantitis, which occurs when bacteria accumulates around the implants and infects the gum tissue. Maintain a habit of brushing with a nonabrasive toothbrush twice a day and flossing once a day to remove plaque buildup around the implant and gums.

2. Don’t forget mouthwash. Regular use of antimicrobial mouthwash is a great way to effectively rid your mouth (and dental implants) of germs and plaque. Mouthwash also kills the harmful bacteria that can accumulate in the hard-to-reach places around your teeth and gums.

3. Forget plastic dental picks. Plastic and metal dental picks can scratch and weaken dental implants in Chester, NJ, making them more prone to cracking or harboring bacteria. Water picks are a recommended alternative and provide an easy and effective way to thoroughly clean between your teeth and implants.

4. Resist harmful food and drink. Certain foods and drinks can be dangerous to the health of your dental implants and your natural teeth, too. Hard, tough, and sticky foods put your implants and teeth at a greater risk for damage. Stay away from these foods, but make sure you still maintain a nutrition-rich diet to support the health of your gums and bone.

5. Seek our experienced care. Sometimes, though rare, dental implants can have problems. It is important to see the care of an experienced periodontist like Dr. Bissell right away if this happens. Even if you aren’t experiencing any issues, maintaining routine dental appointments is one of the best ways to ensure your implants are healthy and functioning correctly.

Need Our Expertise?

If you have questions or concerns about your dental implants in Chester, NJ, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bissell. As a periodontist, he is an expert in dental implants and gum health, and can treat any of your symptoms before they affect the health of your mouth and implants.