You’ve finally finished the process of replacing your missing teeth with dental implants. While you’re excited to finally eat and talk with ease again, part of you is wondering: do dental implants stain? After all, you don’t want your brand-new smile to discolor. Although the implant posts themselves can’t get stained because they’re embedded in your jaw, the artificial teeth they support are exposed to the foods and drinks you consume every day. Can this cause your replacement teeth to look dull? Keep reading to find out!
Will My Dental Implants Become Discolored?
The dental crowns, bridges, or dentures (also known as restorations) that are placed atop implants are typically made from porcelain. Unlike the enamel of natural teeth, porcelain is non-porous. Therefore, your implant restorations will not absorb dark-colored particles from food and beverages nearly as easily. The chances of your prosthetic teeth staining in this way are slim to none.
However, your restorations can become discolored if their surfaces become damaged. This typically occurs as a result of using abrasive toothpaste or chewing on hard items like ice, pen caps, or fingernails.
While stains on natural teeth can usually be removed with professional whitening, such treatments don’t work on dental implants. Just as the restorations don’t absorb staining particles, they also can’t absorb bleaching gels. If they become discolored, your dentist may need to polish or even replace them. To prevent this, you’ll need to take good care of your implants.
Tips for Keeping Your Dental Implants Stain-Free
Dental implants resemble natural teeth more closely than any other tooth replacement option currently available. As such, you’ll need to care for them in similar ways. These tips can help you prevent your dental implants (and any natural teeth you still have) from staining:
- Brush and floss – Every day, remember to brush your teeth twice and floss once. This clears out leftover food debris and prevents plaque from building up, which could leave behind yellow stains.
- Avoid highly abrasive toothpastes – Whitening toothpastes won’t work on dental implants. Instead, they’ll wear down the surfaces of your new teeth. Your dentist can recommend certain types of toothpaste to use with your implants.
- Limit darkly pigmented foods and beverages – Coffee, wine, tea, blueberries, and soy sauce notoriously stain teeth, so try to cut back on items like these.
- Rinse after eating – Once you’re finished with a meal or snack, rinse your mouth with water to prevent the staining particles from lingering in your mouth.
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco – Not only does tobacco darken teeth, but it also doubles the risk of dental implant failure.
With dental implants, you can enjoy a brand-new smile that looks and feels like your old one. Ask your dentist for more advice on keeping your replacement teeth bright and beautiful for years to come!
About the Author
As a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Dr. Gladston Silva is a true expert on dental implants in Daytona Beach, FL. His advanced training in prosthodontics, including membership in the Florida Prosthodontic Association, enables him to provide high-quality implant restorations. Additionally, he can give personalized tips for taking good care of your replacement teeth. To learn more about avoiding stains with dental implants, you can contact Dr. Silva at Lakeside Daytona Dentist by calling 386-274-2021.