How To Clean Dental Implants Properly
Keeping dental implants clean is vital for their longevity and your oral health. Unlike natural teeth, implants require specific care to prevent infection around the implant and ensure they last a lifetime. Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of harmful bacteria and protects the integrity of your implants.
At Dental Implants GPS, our dental implant specialists are skilled at placing implants with precision and teach patients how to clean dental implants effectively. Using state-of-the-art technology in our in-house lab, we fashion dental implants that are easy to care for, ensuring that you can maintain your implants effortlessly at home.
Use Soft-Bristled Brushes to Clean Around Implants Gently
Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your dental implants. This prevents scratching the surface. When you brush, be gentle around the implant area. You want to clean every side of the implant crown, just as you would with a natural tooth. Be thorough, but don’t push too hard.
Make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes. Don’t miss the gum line where it meets the implant. This area can trap food and bacteria. A soft brush will clean effectively without harming the gums or the implant.
Electric toothbrushes with soft bristles are fine, too. They can be helpful because they move in patterns that clean well. Some even have timers to help you brush for the right time.
Floss Daily with Implant-Specific Floss for Optimal Gum Health
Flossing is critical in caring for implants. There is special floss for this, sometimes called implant floss, which is softer and less likely to damage the tissue around the implant. Floss at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque.
Slide the floss gently around the implant and under the gum line. Be careful not to tug or force it, which can hurt the gums. The floss wraps around the implant in a “C” shape to clean it well on both sides. This helps prevent gum disease, which could affect the implant.
Interdental brushes can be another way to clean between teeth and around implants. They reach places where regular floss can’t go. If you can, use these small brushes, too, especially if there’s more space between teeth.
Rinse with Antibacterial Mouthwash to Prevent Infection Around Implants
After brushing and flossing, use an antibacterial mouthwash. It helps remove bacteria that toothbrushes and floss might miss. Rinsing with mouthwash can also prevent infection, vital to keeping your implant site healthy.
Pick a mouthwash meant for implants or your dentist can recommend one. Use it at least once a day for 30 seconds to a minute. It reaches all over the mouth and works well after brushing and flossing. Not only does it help clean, but it can also give you fresh breath.
Avoid Smoking and Hard Foods to Protect Implant Integrity
To keep your dental implants in top shape, avoid smoking. It can slow healing and lead to implant failure. Hard and crunchy foods should be eaten with care. They can damage implants just like they can hurt natural teeth.
Smoking is harmful to the gums and bone, and these both support your implants. If the gums and bones are weak, your implants might not last. Hard foods can crack or chip the surface of an implant crown. Being careful with what you eat and avoiding smoking can keep your implants strong.
Personalized Dental Implant Consultation
Understanding the nuances of implant care starts with a dental implant consultation. During this session, we provide detailed instructions tailored to your specific needs. Each patient’s mouth is different, so each set of care instructions is unique. We believe in educating our patients and empowering them to take charge of their oral health.
Schedule a dental implant consultation with dental implants GPS today. Together, we’ll keep your smile bright, healthy, and enduring.