Dental implants are meant to position replacement teeth, keeping them securely in place. They are metal posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone to support artificial teeth or individual crowns so they don’t shift while speaking or eating. A secure fit ensures a more natural sensation than conventional dentures or bridges. Sounds painful? Not in the hands of a qualified dental specialist! An experienced dentist ensures that you practice proper oral hygiene before and after the implant placement to reduce discomfort and maintain healthy implants.
Implants can be more expensive than other dental procedures due to the surgical and prosthetic requirements. Good oral hygiene coupled with regular dental visits are crucial for smooth, hassle-free dental implants, and will save you additional costs.
Here are a few maintenance tips to reduce plaque around dental implants that can lead to painful gum infection (gingivitis) and ensure a healthy, radiant smile for years.
Dental Implant Aftercare
1. Use a Soft Toothbrush: To remove bacterial plaque, use a soft nylon toothbrush or an electric toothbrush equipped with gentle, pliable bristles to clean your crowns, implants, and grooves. An interdental brush made of pure nylon with no metal wires is highly recommended in order to avoid scratches on the surface of your dental fixtures. Be gentle while brushing and make sure your reach all the corners and grooves.
2. Avoid Abrasive Dental Products: Look for a good, reliable products for thorough cleaning. Any additional cleaning agent, such as cooling mint or whitening, can trigger discomfort in sensitive areas and should be avoided.
3. Floss Daily: Look for dental floss that is specially designed for dental implants. Regular flossing is critical to dental implant care. There’s a wide range of floss products, not all of which are suitable after the procedure. Floss threaders made with special floss, equipped with a built-in threader for gentle cleaning, are also available.
4. Oral Irrigators: Plaque buildup around implants are effectively removed by oral irrigators, also called Water Flossers/Picks. Water Flossers are clinically proven to remove plaque, sometimes even more effective than regular floss. The device works by directing a stream of water to remove food particles between the teeth, eliminating plaque and reducing bacteria that can cause gum disease. The gentle approach is ideal for bridges and fixed partial dentures, although they are not recommended as a substitute for daily brushing and flossing.
5. Gum Stimulators: Stimulators strengthen gum tissues by increasing blood circulation and oxygen supply to the affected area. The massaging action on the gums reduces inflammation and bleeding.
Westney North Dental Clinic, Ajax
At Westney North Dental Clinic, we offer excellent dental care services in a relaxed setting. Our dentists work in partnership with our patients to help make informed decisions on the best treatments for comprehensive needs.
Oral hygiene is directly related to your overall health. We have all the resources available to help develop good oral habits in patients of all ages – from young children to teenagers, adults, and seniors. Contact us to learn more about dental implant procedures.