After investing your money and months of time getting dental implants placed, you’ll want to maintain them as part of your beautiful, restored smile. Prioritizing your dental hygiene is essential if you want to prolong the life of your dental implants. Otherwise, you may need to get it replaced sooner than expected.
One of the amazing benefits of dental implants is they’re easy to clean! Read on to learn how to clean dental implants properly. Maintain healthy teeth and a stunning smile today.
Use a Soft-Bristled Brush
Toss out your old, worn-out toothbrush and replace it with a soft-bristled brush. Softer bristles are less likely to damage your gums. Otherwise, your gums may start bleeding. Soft bristles are gentle on implants as well as natural teeth.
Don’t worry; a soft-bristled brush is still effective at brushing away bacteria and food particles. If you don’t brush, bacteria and saliva can mix together to form plaque. Plaque can harden and form under the gumline, compromising your oral health.
Talk to your dentist about switching to an electric toothbrush. They’re more effective at manual brushes as they generate more brush strokes than you would by hand.
Brush Twice a Day
Once you have a new brush, prioritize your dental hygiene by brushing twice a day. Brushing your teeth will eliminate bad breath and bacteria. Otherwise, your risk of tooth decay and gum disease will increase.
Always brush your teeth before bed to remove the bacteria that’s accumulated during the day. Some dentists also encourage brushing after meals.
When brushing your teeth, remain gentle. You don’t want to brush hard enough that you damage the dental implant. Your gums could bleed if you’re using too much force.
Talk to your dentist about using a cleanser designed for cleaning artificial teeth. These products can remove remaining plaque and bacteria from your dental implant. Allowing food particles, saliva, and bacteria to linger will allow plaque to grow.
Plaque can cause gum irritation and infection. Good dental hygiene can remove and prevent future plaque.
You can also improve your dental hygiene and protect your dental implant by improving your diet. Try to avoid eating too many sugary foods. After consuming these foods, brush to remove sugar and bacteria.
When brushing your teeth, hold the brush at a 45° angle. You can talk to your dentist for tips on using the proper technique.
Choose a low-abrasive toothpaste (products that contain baking soda or other stain-remover agents). These products can wear away acrylic and remove the glaze from your dental implants. Instead, switch to a product specifically designed for dental implants.
Invest in a Water Flosser
A water flosser (also called a dental water jet or oral irrigator) can disrupt and remove bacteria from your mouth. It’s effective at removing bacteria in pocket depths even six mm deep.
Most water flossers come with a rubber-tip stimulator or other attachment. They can accommodate sensitive gums or clean hard-to-reach areas.
Some dental floss products can shed particles that contribute to per-implantitis. Your dentist may recommend a water flosser instead.
Use your water flosser before brushing your teeth. You don’t want to wash away fluoride toothpaste from your teeth before it can protect your enamel.
Grab Your Floss
Use Crowns and Brdige floss, which is more effective at scrubbing under and around dental implants than traditional floss. This floss can clean the surface of your dental implants and the porcelain at your gumline. You can even insert the floss between dental implants at your gumline.
When using this floss, lean it against the implant and rub side to side. Use this floss after brushing while there’s still toothpaste residue in your mouth.
Flossing after you brush will allow you to distribute fluoride around your dental implant. You can prevent unwanted bacterial growth before it develops.
Clean Your Tongue
Brush your tongue and the inside of your cheeks to remove additional bacteria. Bacteria and plaque can build against the surface of your tongue. It could cause gum irritation or infection if not removed.
To clean your tongue, use a soft-bristled brush or a special tongue brush. Gently move the brush in small circles along the length of your tongue. Rinse with lukewarm water to remove any remaining residue or debris.
Cleaning your tongue regularly will help you maintain good oral health. It will also keep your dental implant healthy and functioning properly. Dental implants have a 90 to 95% success rate over a period of 10 years.
However, neglecting your dental hygiene could affect the longevity of your dental implants. Thoroughly removing bacteria and plaque can increase the implant’s longevity.
Rinse Your Mouth
After using the above steps, rinse your mouth to remove lingering food particles, bacteria, or plaque. Choose a non-alcoholic mouth rinsing substance. These products won’t irritate your gums or damage the dental implant.
Consider using a product that doesn’t contain color dyes, which can stain your teeth. Switch the mouthwash around for about 30 seconds before spitting it in the sink. Repeat until you feel that your mouth has been sufficiently cleaned.
If your dental implant starts to smell, you may need to reevaluate your dental hygiene routine. Schedule an appointment with your dentist twice a year. It’s possible plaque has formed.
Bad breath that doesn’t go away after you brush your teeth could indicate you have gum disease. You should seek treatment before it progresses to its advanced stages.
Visit Your Dentist
Schedule routine teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office every six months. Routine appointments will allow them to assess your dental health and thoroughly clean your teeth. They can help remove plaque before it hardens or leads to tooth decay.
These routine appointments will also allow your restorative dentist to assess your dental implant. They can help you make improvements to your routine to extend the implant’s longevity.
Maintaining Dental Implants
Learning how to clean dental implants is essential if you want to maintain the implant. Protect your investment in your dental health and smile! Use these tips to care for your teeth after getting dental implants.
Don’t forget to visit your dentist for routine appointments. Lockhart Dental has over 20 years of experience helping patients maintain healthy smiles.
We provide the highest level of care for our patients. Contact us to schedule your appointment.