How to Clean Dental Implants

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might feel self-conscious about eating or smiling around others, even though you’re enjoying all that Aventura, one of Miami’s top destinations, has to offer. But certain dental procedures like dental implants can restore your smile and have you grinning again. In this article, we’ll cover what dental implants are and how to clean them to ensure a healthy smile now and into the future.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a permanent dental solution that can replace one or more missing or damaged teeth. In the dental implant procedure, a dentist or prosthodontist places a titanium post into the jaw that acts as a firm root for the new tooth. Depending on how many teeth you need implants to replace, your care team will then fit you with a crown, bridge, or full-arch denture that secures to the top of the post.

How to Clean Dental Implants

Since dental implants function as your natural teeth once healed, you should be able to resume cleaning as you normally do. The following steps can help create healthy oral hygiene habits.

Step 1: Follow Any Instructions Provided by Our Dentist

After you receive dental implants in Aventura, it’s important that you closely follow your dentist’s instructions for at-home cleaning and care. Keep in mind the instructions are likely to change from the days and weeks immediately following receiving the implant to long-term care. A dental mouthwash that was prescribed for the week after the procedure may no longer be necessary after the first few months. Check in with your dentist to confirm the appropriate ways to care for your implants.

Step 2: Brush and Floss

Dentists generally agree that you should brush twice daily and floss once for optimal dental health. With dental implants, it’s especially important that you pay close attention to the area around and under your implants.

You’ll also want to be sure to choose a toothpaste that’s non-abrasive so as not to damage the surface of implants. A harsh or abrasive toothpaste could scratch the tooth’s surface, potentially causing areas where plaque or infection can occur. And if you’re someone who isn’t comfortable using traditional dental floss, consider a water flosser or another alternative that can help you get to those hard-to-reach places between implants and natural teeth.

Step 3: Avoid Foods That Can Damage Dental Implants

Certain hard or sticky foods could be problematic for your dental implants, similar to how they could cause damage to your natural teeth. Consult your dentist about which foods are safe, but know that they may advise you to steer clear of potential dangers like chewing on ice, indulging in too much popcorn, or excessively chomping on jerky.

Step 4: Continue with Regular Dental Check-Up

During a professional cleaning, your dentist can confirm your dental implants are performing as expected and also clean some of those hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. The dentist or hygienist may also be able to get to plaque that sits below the gumline, which may be uncomfortable to clean at home. Even though dental implants are decay-resistant, you’ll want to continue attending regular bi-annual check-ups to ensure optimal oral health.

The Bottom Line

Caring for your dental implants is much like caring for your natural teeth. You’ll want to practice good oral care habits like brushing and flossing daily while also being sure to follow any instructions provided by your dental care team.

Contact Information:
Name: Sonakshi Murze
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