Dental implants are a fantastic option when you’re considering the best tooth replacement treatment. They can improve your ability to chew, smile and even talk. If you care for them the right way, they can last a lifetime. But how do you make sure that happens? With proper oral hygiene! Just like a natural tooth needs to be brushed and flossed, a dental implant also requires routine maintenance to ensure long-term success. You need to know how to care for your dental implant and the best tools to use. Which include:
Brushing Your Dental Implants Every Day
Most of us know we need to brush our teeth twice a day for a full two minutes each time. But we may not be as familiar with the need for brushing our dental implant. Just because a dental implant is not a natural tooth does not mean you don’t need to brush it. Brushing is essential for reducing bacterial overgrowth around the dental implant and ensuring that your gums don’t become inflamed, start to bleed, or become infected. A regular toothbrush or electric toothbrush will do the job just fine. Some dental professionals will also recommend an inter-dental brush to get in the harder-to-reach spaces like between implants or under an implant bridge/All-on-4 prosthesis.
Floss Your Implants Every Day
Cleaning between, around, and at the gumlines of your dental implant is just as important as flossing any other tooth. Flossing helps reduce the bacteria buildup between adjacent teeth and just below the gumline. When flossing a dental implant, you need to let the floss slip just below the gum tissue and also clean the sides of the crown, not to mention the adjacent tooth. You will also be able to wrap floss around the implant much more than regular teeth.
While string floss works great for most situations, a water flosser is sometimes recommended to remove soft debris and food build up. Especially if you have a multi-tooth implant restoration or the implants are hard to reach. Water flossers are a great way to flush bacteria out from beneath the gums.
Routine Dental Hygiene Appointments for Implants
Last but not least, caring for your dental implant means you’ll want to see your dental hygienist on a routine basis. This will vary per person, but most people need a checkup every 3, 4, or 6 months depending on their oral hygiene and gum health. At your dental checkup, your hygienist and dentist will check the implant, evaluate the surrounding gum tissues, and monitor your bone levels. This is important because if any gum infections start to develop, they need to be caught early. Professional cleanings, diagnostic images, and measuring the space around your dental implant are crucial for long-term success.
Visit Our Specialist Today
Our Midlothian implant specialist will make sure you’re set up for success after your implant treatment. Contact us today to reserve a consultation or to learn more about dental implant maintenance.