Dental implants will not form cavities, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to brush and floss! In fact, brushing and flossing your implants is every bit as important as brushing and flossing your natural teeth.
Brushing your implants is just as easy as it is to clean your natural teeth. In fact, if you’ve previously had dentures or partials, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how simple your oral health routine will be.
Why do I need to clean my implants?
Just like natural teeth, food particles and bacteria can build up on your implants. Bacteria may not erode your implants as it would with natural teeth, but can cause gum inflammation and other dental issues. It is important to brush, floss and use a dentist-approved mouthwash at least twice per day.
Bad breath is caused by excess bacteria in your mouth. A good oral health routine will reduce bacteria which can otherwise compromise dental implants and natural teeth. Simple brushing and flossing can rid you of any bad breath concerns!
A less than stellar oral health routine will make you more susceptible to other oral health problems. For example, gingivitis is a gum disease that occurs when plaque forms at the gum line, and actually pulls teeth from the gums. Similarly, peri-implantitis can inflame the tissues around your dental implant. You could experience soft tissue loss from inflammation—and as a result, lose the hard tissue, alveolar bone, which keeps your implant in place. Left untreated, this could lead to implant loss.
As you can see, dental care is every bit as important for implants as it is for your natural teeth.
How to care for your implants
First, talk to Dr. Mike about proper implant care. Based on the type of dental implant you received, and your unique oral health needs, Dr. Mike may have additional advice for you.
Most, if not all dentists will advise to focus on brushing and flossing. Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle, beginning near the gum line and then angling the brush to remove as much debris as possible. There’s no need to press hard—in fact, this can cause your gums to recede. Use gentle pressure to brush all around your teeth. This will probably take two full minutes to complete. Set a timer until you get into a good routine!
Flossing is also important, however the location of your implants, may mean using a different flossing method. Some dentists recommend water flossers, which use pressurized water to remove plaque and food from between your teeth. These can be particularly effective if the spaces between your implants are tighter than your natural teeth.
Finally, don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with your dentist at Fioritto Dental. Spotting dental care issues early can stop them in their tracks.