We all want a perfect smile, with straight, white teeth that reflect youth and good health. When you flash your smile, you want to make a good first impression. So when you lose a tooth to decay, illness, trauma, or other causes, it can really damage your confidence, not to mention the function of your mouth.
The good news is that you don’t have to hide a gap or chew on the other side of your mouth. With dental implants, you can regain perfect function and the confidence to smile, laugh, eat, and drink just like before you lost your tooth. That said, you definitely have to take steps to care for you dental implant just as you do for your natural teeth.
The nice thing about dental implants is that they’ll never suffer cavities or decay, but they can still become damaged and stained if you’re not careful. How does this happen, and what can you do to protect against it?
Dental Implant Stains
Your natural teeth could become discolored in a number of ways. The dentin within teeth naturally yellows over time, and when paired with enamel erosion, your teeth could definitely take on a yellow hue. You might also suffer internal staining due to medications, tooth decay, or trauma.
You’ll never have these issues with dental implants. However, the food you eat, the beverages you drink, and any use of tobacco products could affect your dental implants in much the same way as your natural teeth, causing unsightly stains. Dental implants are designed to resist staining, but if the glazing on your false tooth is compromised in some way, staining can result.
What Causes Damage to Implants?
The glazes used to protect dental implants are strong and durable, but you have to do your part to protect them from damage. Glazes could wear down over time if you consume a lot of acidic foods, use abrasive toothpaste, or if you fail to follow a proper oral care regimen. They could also be damaged by chewing on hard items like ice, hard candy, or even non-food items like fingernails or pen caps.
When the outer glaze of a false tooth is damaged, stains can start to appear. Unlike natural teeth, which can be cleaned with abrasive toothpaste or whitened with bleaching products or lasers to remove staining, dental implants will need professional treatment in the form of polishing, re-glazing, or even replacement. The good news is that you can avoid this hassle and expense by watching what you eat, cleaning dental implants appropriately, and scheduling regular dental visits for check-up and cleaning.
