One of the most popular and effective ways to renew missing pearly whites is dental implants. By embedding these titanium posts into your jawbone, you can rebuild your teeth from the roots up and preserve a more youthful facial shape. Plus, your restorations will be durable, natural-looking, and can last several decades to a lifetime! That said, you’ll have to maintain them by keeping them clean with the proper techniques. Keep reading to learn why flossing dental implants is crucial and how to preserve your new smile for many years to come!
Why Is Flossing with Dental Implants Important?
While brushing is an essential part of your oral hygiene, your toothbrush will only be able to clean about 60% of the surface of your teeth. Most debris, food particles, bacteria, plaque, and tartar will typically collect in the hard-to-reach areas of your smile, such as between your pearly whites. If neglected, you can end up at risk of serious oral health issues like decay and gum disease. Dental implants rely heavily on an infection-free mouth, so forgetting to floss can drastically reduce their lifespan or cause them to fail altogether. To avoid these complications, you’ll simply need to floss regularly.
How Do I Floss My Dental Implants?
Though dental implants look and feel like permanent teeth, there are several differences to consider when cleaning them. With your natural smile, your periodontal ligament will indicate if you’ve pushed a dental strand too hard against your gum tissue. However, when you get dental implants, you’ll need to remember that they’ll be connected to a weaker seal (a peri-implant seal). This seal doesn’t contain nerves, so you’ll need to be gentle when flossing to avoid damaging your gums. Be sure to consult your dentist, and they’ll provide you with specific instructions on how to floss your implants properly and safely.
6 Extra Oral Hygiene Best Practices
Flossing is crucial for keeping your dental implants plaque-free and preventing gum disease, but it isn’t the only component for preserving a healthy smile. Here are a few additional measures to take to ensure their lifelong success:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Rinse with mouthwash and stay hydrated
- Minimize consuming sugary meals and drinks throughout the day
- Avoid hard treats, like peanut brittle, that can damage your restorations
- Maintain a nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich diet
- Schedule dental checkups and cleanings every six months
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement options since they renew your missing teeth, restore your biting power, and preserve your jawbone. Make sure to floss thoroughly and often, and you can be sure to make the most of your new pearly whites!
About the Author
Dr. Shue Her earned his dental degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He also regularly seeks continuing education to refine his expertise and skills. He provides a wide selection of comprehensive and high-quality services, including dental implants. If you’d like to make an appointment, visit his website or call 770-536-6688.