Keeping your dental implants clean is the key to their longevity. Implants can last for many years if they are well taken care of. Read on for some tips that will keep your implants clean and healthy. 

Choose Your Toothpaste Carefully

Many kinds of toothpaste on the market contain whitening additives. In most cases, these additives are too abrasive for implants. Both porcelain and acrylic crowns can be vulnerable to baking soda and stain removers found in whitening toothpaste. It's worth it to locate a toothpaste created especially for dental implants.

Use Soft Bristles

Whether you use a manual or electric brush, go with softer bristles. They are just as effective on your teeth as hard bristles at removing things from your teeth. Hard bristles could wear down your implants.

Consider a Water Flosser

This type of flosser is not as likely to leave behind bits of floss that could create bacterial problems for your teeth. You should use a flosser before you brush your teeth. That way, you can brush away the debris while retaining the fluoride left behind by the toothpaste.

Use a Special Floss 

Bridge and crown floss offers implant wearers an additional way to keep them clean. This type of floss has extra material in the middle of the nylon end pieces. This comes in handy not only for making sure your bridgework is clean but allows users with implants to get to a difficult-to-reach area. The small area where the implant meets your gums can be problematic. It's how bacteria can get into your gums when you have implants. This type of floss should be used after brushing at the gum line and around the sides of the implant.

Brush Your Implant Thoroughly 

The way you brush your implant matters. Your implant can harbor bacteria under and around it when it's located in the back of your mouth. Be sure to use a special interdental brush to reach those areas.

Brush Often

You probably already know you should brush your teeth at least two times a day. However, that is considered the minimum. When food particles are left on the teeth, they become bacteria, which turn into tartar and plaque. Tartar and plaque are not easy to remove once they get on your teeth and professional cleaning may be required. Try to brush after every meal and especially before going to bed so that the bacteria don't sit on your teeth overnight.

To learn more, contact a local dental service.