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Stains, Whitening And Dental Implants: A Few Things You Should Know

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If you have dental implants, you have probably been told that they cannot be bleached and to be careful with what you eat or drink. Most cosmetic dentists will tell you to get your natural teeth whitened before having the implant matched to them. This way, you can ensure that your new teeth are the same color as your natural teeth and do not look out of place. Once you have your implants, there are a few other things you need to know to ensure they remain the same color as the rest of your teeth.

Stains

Whether you have porcelain or resin implants, they can still be stained. If you smoke, or drink a lot of coffee or tea, both your natural teeth and the implants will be stained. Keep in mind that dental implants are stain resistant. This means that they are harder to stain than your natural teeth. This will mean that your implants remain a whiter color than your own teeth. It is important to brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking anything that will change the color of your teeth, or at least use fresh water and rinse your mouth out well.

Whitening

If your teeth have become stained, you can still have your natural teeth whitened. However, to make sure that they match your implants, have a cosmetic dentist do it instead of using a home treatment. Have your implants polished by the dentist before having your teeth whitened to ensure the best match possible. The dentist, or hygienist, will use a finely-crushed, diamond paste to clean your implants. Your natural teeth will then be cleaned as normal. If the colors do not match, and the implants are whiter, your teeth can then be whitened with bleach.

Replacements

Sometimes, as the implants age, they become permanently stained. If your natural teeth are whiter than an implant, it is possible to have only the top portion, the actual tooth portion, of the implant replaced to match colors. The best way to avoid this situation is to always brush your teeth and to see your dentist regularly. Any time you notice a difference in color, have the implant polished as soon as possible. It is much easier to prevent a permanent stain and avoid having to pay for a replacement.

Dental implants have become the new answer to missing teeth. They are strong and stain resistant. However, this does not mean that you can eat and drink what you like without properly cleaning them. To keep your entire smile looking bright, take care of your teeth, and see your cosmetic dentist, like those at Woodland Family Dental, when home care is not enough to avoid staining. 


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