By Hadley Gavin
With dental implants, you can replace lost teeth with beautiful, functioning teeth that, with regular maintenance, can last a lifetime. To keep your dental implants in good condition and extend their life, you must clean and maintain them just like you would your natural teeth. If you want your dental implants to last a lifetime and look their best, follow these steps.
How come dental implants need cleaning?
If you have dental implants, you could assume that cleaning them is unnecessary since they are artificial teeth. Dental implants are a long-term, reliable option for missing teeth since they are surgically placed into the jawbone.
The crown—the replacement tooth—affixed to the implant may be decay-proof, but the gums and bone around it are still vulnerable to irritation, infection, and illness. To avoid problems like gum disease and peri-implantitis (inflammation surrounding the implant), it is essential to clean the teeth properly.
Cleaning supplies and equipment to utilize
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you begin:
- To prevent harming the gums or scraping the implant, use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- For the sake of your implant’s crown and abutment, it is recommended that you use a mild, nonabrasive toothpaste.
- To clean in between your dental implants, you will need either dental floss or an interdental brush.
- Plaque and bacteria surrounding dental implants can be reduced with the use of an antiseptic mouthwash.
- A helpful tool for cleaning around dental implants, particularly in hard-to-reach regions, is a water flosser.
- Soft plastic-tipped devices, such as dental picks, can be beneficial to for delicate cleaning.
Procedure for cleansing
- The same way you would your natural teeth, brush your dental implants twice a day. Using gentle pressure, clean the gums and implant the crown thoroughly.
- To keep the implant from being scratched, use a mild, nonabrasive toothpaste. Ask your dentist for advice on which brand to use. Soap and abrasive toothpaste should not be used.
- Cleaning the areas between your dental implants and natural teeth can be done by flossing or using an interdental brush. Take care not to irritate the gums.
- To clean the area surrounding the implants and along the gumline, use a water flosser if you have one. The soft jet of water can loosen food particles and lessen the accumulation of plaque.
- For fresher breath and less bacteria surrounding your dental implants, try rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Having regular dental exams: Make sure to visit your dentist regularly so they can clean and check your dental implants for any problems.
If you want your dental implants to last a lifetime, you need to take special care of them. To keep your implants in pristine condition and your new smile (and your teeth) for as long as possible, be sure to include these steps in your regular dental hygiene routine. In order to maintain the optimal condition of your dental implants, it is recommended that you visit your Implant Institute for specialized consultation and regular check-ups.
