Once you get dental implants, you will want to preserve your gorgeous new smile. It is important to maintain your dental implants so that they last for your lifetime.
Cleaning your dental implants is very similar to your normal oral hygiene routine. Dental implants must be brushed, flossed, and taken care of to avoid disease and discoloration.
There are different methods to caring for your dental implants, all of which will keep your smile bright and beautiful. At Glendale Periodontics, we educate our patients on the care and maintenance of their new implants. With this in mind, here is a quick guide to cleaning your dental implant.
Dental Implant Cleaning Methods
When caring for your dental implants, you want to make sure you use the right techniques. You should use a lot of the same methods that you would for your natural teeth.
Use a Toothbrush with Soft Bristles
If you use a stiff, scratchy toothbrush, your dental implants will get scratched. This damage will allow more bacteria into your implant area, which can lead to gum disease.
Soft-bristled toothbrushes will get your teeth clean without being abrasive to your gums or your enamel.
Follow the Twice-a-Day Cleaning Schedule
You should brush your dental implants as often as your regular teeth: twice per day.
It is a good idea to brush after your first and last meals of the day. If possible, you can brush your teeth every time you eat to remove debris from the implant area.
Regular teeth brushing is important for oral health.
Use Appropriate Floss
There are many flosses on the market that are designed for flossing around dental implants.
It is important to floss your teeth daily to remove buildup from your gums. Water flossing is another great way to get in between your implants and remove bacteria.
Make sure you are flossing at least once a day.
Buy Gentle Toothpaste
Toothpaste with rough materials in them, like charcoal or baking soda, will erode the covering on your dental implants. These kinds of toothpaste are often marketed towards anyone who wants to whiten their teeth.
However, your dental implants’ porcelain or ceramic surface can get scratched and stained from rough toothpaste. Ask your dentist for recommendations on brands of toothpaste that are safe for dental implants.
Check with your dentist to make sure you are caring for your dental implants correctly. With proper care and hygiene, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Dental Implant Cleaning Instruments
It can be difficult to figure out what products you need to take care of your dental implants.
In general, anything that is marked as safe for use with dental implants should be okay. Use this list for reference to ensure you have the proper instrumentation for cleaning your dental implants:
- A soft-bristled toothbrush
- A water flosser
- Non-abrasive toothpaste
- An interdental brush (to reach areas your toothbrush misses)
- Antibacterial mouthwash
- An electric toothbrush
These are some must-haves that you will need to properly maintain your dental implants.
Some of these items, like an electric toothbrush, are necessary because a regular toothbrush won’t necessarily remove all of the plaque.
It is important to reach the areas in between the implants and under the gums to avoid infection.
Do Dental Implants Need to Come Out for Cleaning?
Dental implants are not removable and are meant to be permanent mouth fixtures.
Part of maintaining healthy teeth is scheduling regular dentist appointments. For the best results, most people need to get professional cleanings once every six months.
The same applies to dental implants. Dental professionals have specialized tools to remove any hard-to-reach build-up that your oral hygiene routine may miss.
As you follow your daily oral hygiene regimen, make sure to check for plaque and debris around your dental implants.
Implants are not removable, so it is essential that you brush, floss, and clean the areas around your implants thoroughly. Good oral hygiene is the best way to maintain a great smile.
Does a Dentist Need to Clean My Implants?
Unless you have food or other debris stuck around your implants, you should be able to remove bacteria during your daily brushing.
Besides the recommended semi-annual cleaning at your dentist’s office, a professional does not have to clean your implants.
One of the reasons patients get dental implants is to replace lost or damaged teeth without maintaining removable dentures.
It would defeat the purpose of dental implants if they required professional cleaning every day. As long as you have good oral hygiene habits, your dental implants will remain bright and beautiful!
Dental Implant Cleaning Costs?
Unlike removable dental fixtures, dental implants require far less time and money to maintain.
You do not need any special gels, pastes, or powders. Gentle toothpaste with a soft-bristled toothbrush is the best combination to take care of your implants.
At Glendale Periodontics, we are dedicated to informing you about all of the necessary maintenance costs after a procedure. We are proud to offer a permanent solution for your smile that doesn’t break the bank afterward.
Dental implants are a great choice for people who have injured, lost, or diseased teeth.
We recommend that you schedule a semi-annual cleaning appointment for your implants. This procedure is for cleanliness and preventative oral health; we want to catch any lingering dental problems before they cause serious issues.
Our highly skilled staff is here to make sure that you walk out with a confident smile that shines.
Our dental implants provide many benefits to patients who need their teeth replaced. Whether you suffer from rotting teeth, teeth that have been forced out due to injury, or poor oral health, you have a place here at Glendale Periodontics.
Do you have questions about getting dental implants? Call us now to book an appointment. We will go over the costs, maintenance, and aftercare of dental implants with you.
Our patients walk out satisfied and confident because of their pearly whites. Don’t hesitate to get quality care for your dental health. It is never too late to get your dream smile!
