Achieving Optimal Oral Hygiene: How to Properly Clean Dental Implants
Do you have dental implants, or are you considering getting them? If so, you should know that maintaining dental implants is just as important as caring for your natural teeth.
We can all agree that oral hygiene is essential. This is why most people continue to brush and floss daily. Yet, believe it or not, many aren’t achieving optimal oral hygiene – despite their good intentions!
It’s a common misconception that if you brush and floss, you will have perfect oral health, but it’s not that simple. You need to do it the right way! The same applies to dental implants. If you don’t brush and floss your dental implants correctly, it can lead to additional oral health issues.
To protect your teeth and dental implants and enjoy a healthy smile for years to come, you need to start practicing proper cleaning techniques.
Why do I have to clean my dental implants daily?
If you don’t properly clean your dental implants daily, you put yourself at risk for serious oral health issues. Proper cleaning will prevent plaque buildup which can wreak havoc on your oral health and cause:
- Bacteria build up in your mouth. This bacteria creates an acidic environment, with acids that will eat away at your teeth, causing tooth decay and damage.
- Damage to the hard surface of the teeth, commonly known as a cavity.
- Inflammation of the soft tissue and hard tissue that surrounds your dental implant. Over time, this will degrade the tissue, leading to peri-implantitis and implant loss.
- Irritation, inflammation and redness of the gums. This is known as gingivitis and can worsen and cause infection if not addressed.
How do I clean my dental implants?
Dental implants don’t give you an excuse to cut back on oral hygiene! If not maintained and cleaned correctly, you put yourself at risk for bone loss, infection and permanent damage.
To properly clean your dental implants, you need to master the following:
- Using proper brushing technique and avoiding the back-and-forth motion.
Before we get to what you should do, let’s look at what you should not do. You need to avoid brushing your teeth with a back and forth motion. Too many people do this when brushing their teeth, and although they may feel clean, this seesaw method of brushing causes you to miss tiny particles and plaque. Brushing this way can also damage the tooth as it scrubs away tooth enamel, increasing your risk of cavities, sensitivity and receding gums.
Great brushing technique is all in how you hold your toothbrush, the pressure applied and ensuring you get every tooth! Begin by placing your toothbrush on a 45-degree angle at the top of the tooth where your gumline begins. Then, gently move back and forth over each tooth, ensuring you get in between the teeth and along the gumline. You can’t rush good oral hygiene! Be sure to focus on each tooth as you move along the top and bottom.
- Using dental floss or a water flosser daily.
Flossing a dental implant is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring implant longevity. Food particles and bacteria can get trapped between the implant and the surrounding gums. Flossing helps remove these particles and prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease and implant failure.
Patients often say flossing their dental implant is more challenging than flossing their natural teeth. Unfortunately, it can be, which is why I often recommend using a water flosser. A water flosser like a Waterpik makes cleaning those hard-to-reach places around your implant easier. This will help protect the soft tissue surrounding the implant and maintain gum health.
Alternatively, you can also speak with your dental hygienist, dentist or dental implant expert to learn how to use dental floss around your implant. Although it may be more challenging, by following their step-by-step instructions you can do it successfully.
How do I find a dental implant expert?
Finding a dental implant expert is crucial if you’re considering getting dental implants or looking to maintain them. These experts have extensive training and experience, ensuring you achieve the best possible results and care.
Ask for referrals, do your research, check with professional organizations and schedule a consultation to find a dental implant expert who can help you achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile!
