Implants are usually described as having the ability to last forever. However, taking this statement at face value belies the need to actively take measures that protect the implant and increase the likelihood of it serving you for a long time.

Just like regular teeth, dental implants are susceptible to certain kinds of damage. If you fail to take care of them properly, they can still fail in just a short period of time. There are various steps that you can take to protect your implants from damage.

Eat with Care

Implants are made to be as strong as possible, but this doesn't make them indestructible. You can cause a significant amount of damage by biting into hard foods or food sections that contain bones. Therefore, it's a very good idea to eat as cautiously as you would with regular teeth.

Avoid Vibrations

The top part of your implant, called the crown, is screwed onto the bottom part. This makes it secure enough, but it can become loose if the implant is subjected to a high amount of vibrations. These vibrations are usually those from a vibrating toothbrush. Therefore, you may want to stick to a standard toothbrush once you get implants.

Floss with Care

Although flossing is quite useful when cleaning the pockets of gums that surround the teeth, if done incorrectly, it can be the main cause of the problem. Implants are supported by seals and not ligaments like regular teeth. If you floss too aggressively, you might break this seal, and this can allow bacteria to enter the gum pockets and make their way to the bone supporting the implant.

The bacteria can cause bone damage, and as a result, you may end up experiencing implant failure. Instead of standard floss, you can try a waterpik instead.

Tell Your Dental Hygienist If You Have Implants

A dental hygienist is supposed to perform a deep cleaning of your mouth. However, the tools they use for standard teeth may not be the best for implants. Ensure you tell them about the implant(s) so they can use different tools when cleaning them.

Dental Check-Ups

The implants should be checked at least once each year, and you should also be going for a check-up and cleanings every six months. This ensures that your implant is healing as expected, and regular check-ups ensure that there are no dental issues that could harm your overall dental health.