Taking proper care of your dental implants is important. Read on for 8 practical tips for caring for your dental implants that are sure to help you.

The prevalence of dental implants has drastically increased over the last 20-plus years. That's partly because more and more people are realizing what they are for and what they can do for you.

Dental implants are a great thing to do if you want to replace a missing tooth surgically so that the new tooth basically looks like a new one.

However, if you do go this route, there are things you need to know in order to keep up your proper dental health.

If you are thinking about getting a dental implant, read this guide to learn how to properly take care of your oral health after the fact.

1. Keep Up a Good Hygiene Routine

The most important thing that you can do is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This means that you need to make sure to brush your teeth twice a day. When you do brush your teeth, make sure that you don't brush too hard either.

You should be using a soft-bristled toothbrush because the harder ones can damage the enamel on your teeth. This is bad for your teeth but even worse for implants because it could scratch the surface and this can cause irreversible damage.

If you brush too hard, you could damage your dental implants.

You should also be sure to floss once per day to remove any plaque build-up and get rid of any food that is stuck between your teeth as this can cause tooth decay and cavities over time.

2. Visit the Dentist Regularly

Even if you are keeping up with your oral care at home and feel that you have great dental health, it is important to visit your dentist regularly as well!

They will be able to clean your teeth professionally, which is something you cannot do at home on your own. They can also see if you need to take care of a specific area better than you have or if you should simply keep up with what you are doing.

3. Quit Smoking

If you are a smoker, you are going to want to heavily consider quitting smoking. Smoking can delay the healing process of your dental implants and even risk a dental implant failure.

If you prefer that things go how you would like and that you heal quickly, it is not recommended that you smoke. If you don't smoke, keep up the good habits!

It is also important to note that smoking can increase your risk of gum disease, which is overall not something you want for your dental hygiene.

4. Pay Attention to Your Diet

A lot of people pay attention to their diets because they can affect their weight and their overall health. However, did you know that it can also affect your oral health as well?

Well, it can. And it is important that you pay attention to what you are eating and drinking for proper teeth care - especially if you are considering getting dental implants.

For instance, if you are constantly eating hard and sticky foods, this can cause damage to your dental implant. You will also want to avoid really hot foods as well as this can damage the implants.

Examples of foods not to eat often include:

Carrots
Chips
Apples
Soups

Even if you cannot see the damage, it can be putting strain on it behind the scenes until it eventually just gets worse and gives.

You will want to opt for a balanced diet! Make sure to focus on getting proteins, lean meats, and whole grains in your diet. This will benefit your overall health as well as your dental health.

5. Stay Hydrated

If your mouth becomes overly dry, this can cause a lot of oral health issues. It is important to keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Not to mention, this is also great for your overall health!

6. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is not great for normal teeth as it can lead to tooth decay because of the high sugar content, but it is also not great for dental implants. It can speed up the accumulation of plaque as well as slow down healing after the implant is done.

If you get a dental implant procedure, it is best to limit your alcohol consumption in the 6 months post-implant to speed up the healing.

7. Get a Mouthguard

Did you know that about 30% of people grind their teeth? A big portion of people may not even know that they are doing it.

However, if you are a teeth grinder, then you can hurt your implants if you continue to grind your teeth without realizing it. It will put pressure on the implants and leave a lasting impact. To prevent this, it is best to get a mouthguard to protect your implants and even your normal teeth.