HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental Implant Risk Factors
How to Clean Your Dental Implant

The success of your dental implant relies heavily on your oral hygiene. Now that you’ve improved the appearance your smile, it’s time to ensure your implant lasts a lifetime. When it comes to dental implants, one of the more prominent risk factors to be wary of is poor oral hygiene.

Dental Implant Risk Factors

Your teeth and gums accumulate plaque throughout the day. As plaque builds up, harmful bacteria can eat away at your teeth and oral health exposing you to tooth decay and gum disease. Since your implant is fused with your jawbone, it’s imperative to ensure the implant’s stability within your mouth, maintaining the health of your gum line can help.

Additionally, some people feel soreness after a dental implant procedure. Gently cleaning your teeth and gums can help alleviate or avoid discomfort.

Dental Implant Aftercare

As with any surgical procedure, your implants will need time to heal. To speed up the recovery process, follow your dentist’s instructions and avoid anything that may irritate the surgical site. Dental implant aftercare usually consists of:

  • Rest
  • Antibiotics
  • Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush the day of
  • Avoiding smoking, hard and acidic foods

How to Clean Your Dental Implant

Your dentist may recommend several cleaning tips when it comes to caring for your dental implant. In most cases, you should treat your implant just as you would your natural teeth. To properly clean your dental implants be sure to:

  • Brush twice a day, everyday
  • Switch to an electric toothbrush like the Oral-B® Genius, it comes equipped with a sensitive mode and pressure control so you can be gentle on your teeth and gums but tough on plaque as you brush
  • Brush with Crest Gum Detoxify toothpaste, it targets harmful plaque bacteria to help maintain your gum health
  • Floss at least once a day
  • Rinse with a mouthwash that can help keep your gums healthy such as Crest Gum Care Mouthwash
  • Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups

Caring for your implants and your overall oral health should easily fit into your daily oral hygiene routine. Be sure to always follow your dentist’s directions to ensure your teeth, gums, and implants stay strong and healthy.

Sources:
https://www.authoritydental.org/dental-implant-aftercare
https://www.oralsurgeryteam.com/surgical-instructions/after-care-instructions/dental-implant-surgery/
https://theimplantcentre.com/patient-care-costs/patient-care/dental-implant-aftercare/