Given that dental implants are identical to your natural teeth, it should be expected that they need to be taken care of all the same. Just like original teeth, they will require flossing and brushing on a consistent basis to ensure their longevity and to preserve a healthy mouth. However, there is more to know concerning this type of implant and as such you should discover what you need to do to reap the immense benefits of having these prosthetic teeth.
Brushing advice for your implant’s needs
For starters, you should brush after every meal. Not just a cliche you hear from your dentist and your parents, brushing regularly is vital to ensuring that an investment in dental implants do not go to waste. In the case of dental implants, a small tooth brush or specialized interdental brush recommended by your dentist can be utilized to clean the abutments (titanium structures) in your mouth. Make certain the brush you use has a bent handle or other means of reaching behind the artificial teeth to ensure that you’re cleaning the devices in your mouth thoroughly and leaving no food particles.
Some patients with dental implants find that manual brushing is either too difficult for them or impossible due to the limited dexterity of their hands. For these people and perhaps for yourself, the solution is a simple one and requires the aid of a power or sonic toothbrush. Certain types of power toothbrushes, especially those that allow the use of multiple brush tips, allow complete access around an abutment and will clean thoroughly without much effort on your part to scrub. If you’re wondering what the best choice is concerning these types of toothbrushes then feel free to consult your dentist as he or she will be able to tell you what’s best for your needs.
Specialized care and maintenance
Just like how brushing your teeth regularly is an essential part of taking care of your teeth, flossing is yet another aspect necessary in taking care of your dental implants. And, just like how brushing requires a bit of an adjustment, the same applies to flossing and a few other things that you may need to do in order to preserve the best performance from your implants and to maximize your overall oral health.
Those with dental implants should use dental floss on a daily basis to clean in between and around their implants. The type of floss used should be gauze strips, yarn, or a thick dental floss or dental tape that can assist with controlling plaque around your gums, abutments, and prosthetic teeth.
Removable prosthetic teeth
If you possess removable prosthetics such as dentures implants, you should remove the attachment and then brush thoroughly yet gently around the inside of your mouth, making certain to clean the abutments thoroughly. For maximized cleaning, utilize floss to clean around the abutments while the prosthetic piece is out of your mouth. Also don’t forget to clean your dentures as their good condition is just as important to your overall hygiene.
Fixed prosthetic teeth
While fixed prosthetics are a more relaxed affair compared to removable denture implants, they will nonetheless require responsibility just like regular teeth do. Make certain to brush your prosthetic teeth just as thoroughly as you would your natural teeth, reaching behind the teeth to brush the back of the abutments as food deposits can collect here. Also floss like regular while ensuring that you clean from the front, sides, and behind the teeth.
What else can be done?
You’ll find that having implants are a responsibility you must be ready to accept. Be prepared to follow through with checkups with your dentist at least twice a year in order for your doctor to see how well the implants are coming along. He or she might make any repairs that are necessary and evaluate the stability of the implants, the overall quality of your gums, and the condition of your jawbone.
While it may seem like there’s a lot to understand, monitor, and take care of when opting for dental implants, keep in mind that these devices are a lifetime investment that with good care and maintenance will see you looking and performing at your best!