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Dental Implant Care in Turlock, CA

Caring for Your Restorations

Dental implants are the ideal way to restore gaps in your smile created by missing teeth. This natural-looking restoration enhances the overall health of your smile by preventing your natural teeth from moving out of place.

Our patients appreciate how convenient it is to take care of their dental implants. That’s because you don’t have to do anything special — just continue with your daily brushing and flossing. But there’s one major difference. Make sure to only use gentle hygiene products with your dental implants. This is important for two reasons: First, abrasive products can scratch the surface of implants. Using gentle products will also protect the soft tissue that surrounds the dental implant.

Choosing the Right Hygiene Product to Protect Your Implants

We’ve put together this guide to help you select the ideal hygiene products for use with your dental implants:

Choosing the Right Toothbrush
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
Choosing the Right Mouthwash
Choosing the Right Interdental Cleaner

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

There’s been a lot of research done regarding the type of toothbrush that’s best for dental implants. Scientists have concluded that both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective when used properly. Whichever type you use, it’s essential to find one with soft or extra-soft bristles to protect the implant and your smile.

It’s recommended to brush twice daily for at least two minutes and make sure to thoroughly cover every section of your smile. Many electric toothbrushes have timers to help remind you to brush long enough. Researchers also recommend electric brushes for anyone who has difficulty applying sufficient pressure on their own.

Choosing the Right Toothpaste

Many types of toothpaste contain abrasive ingredients and these should definitely be avoided. This includes smoker’s toothpaste and any type of toothpaste designed to whiten your teeth.

It’s important to check the ingredients of the toothpaste you buy so you can avoid those that contain any of the following ingredients: baking soda, stannous fluoride, and sodium fluoride.

Choosing the Right Mouthwash

Rinsing with mouthwash doesn’t just freshen your breath. It’s also a key part of an effective daily hygiene regimen. That’s because an antibacterial mouthwash helps prevent bacteria that cause decay and gum disease.

Patients with dental implants will want to avoid any type of mouthwash that has teeth-whitening ingredients. You should also stay away from mouthwash containing alcohol because it causes dry mouth. This interferes with your body’s natural ability to fight off infection.

Choosing the Right Interdental Cleaner

Dental floss is the most common interdental cleaner. It’s extremely effective for removing plaque and debris between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. You’ll want to use nylon-coated floss with your implants because it glides between your teeth more easily.

There’s also floss that’s designed specifically for use with implants. Many of our patients find interdental brushes to be convenient and effective interdental cleaners. For use with implants, plastic or plastic-coated brush is recommended.

Dental Implant Care at Eggleston Dental Care

Here at Eggleston Dental Care, our team has over two decades of experience helping people rebuild their smiles with dental implants. If you have questions about the procedure or need some help taking care of your implants, please call our office at 209-226-4963. We’d be happy to help you learn more about the procedure and how to properly take care of your new smile. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take care of my dental implants after the procedure?
What do I do in the event of a complication with my dental implants?
What should I avoid after my dental implant procedure?
Will there be pain, bruising, or swelling around my dental implant?
How do I take care of my dental implants after the procedure?
For the first week after surgery, it’s especially important to follow your dentist’s instructions. These will include avoiding chewy, crunchy, or sticky foods, as well as rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water after meals. 

After you’ve healed from surgery, you can care for your implants just like natural teeth. All you need to do is brush and floss every day. Dr. Eggleston recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nylon floss for optimal results. It’s also essential to visit your dentist for bi-annual checkups.

What do I do in the event of a complication with my dental implants?
If you experience any issues with your dental implant, contact us right away. Don’t attempt to fix the implant yourself, as this can result in further damage and set your treatment back. Contact our office in Turlock, CA by calling (209) 226-4963. Dr. Eggleston will see you as soon as possible and provide the care you need.
What should I avoid after my dental implant procedure?

Make sure not to eat until the local anesthetic has worn off. Avoid hot drinks and hot food for the first day after your dental implants procedure, and try not to disturb the area with your tongue or fingers. Dr. Eggleston will provide you with great aftercare instructions to make sure you heal quickly.

Will there be pain, bruising, or swelling around my dental implant?

Soreness is normal after your dental implants procedure, but you should not experience pain. Feel free to take any over-the-counter medicine, like ibuprofen, to help ease any discomfort. Bruising and swelling are common, but typically they will subside after a few days.