Is Caring for Dental Implants Different from Natural Teeth?

For those individuals looking to get dental implants, one of the major questions and concerns is whether or not cleaning their dental implants will be different from cleaning their natural teeth. In many cases, individuals mistakenly believe that their dental implants will be both worry-free and maintenance-free, but this is not the case. Your dental implants need to be cared for just like your natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist for regular hygiene and check ups. 

We want all of our patients to be well-informed so they know exactly what to expect when cleaning and caring for their dental implants. 

Cleaning Your Dental Implants

Cleaning your dental implants is very similar to caring for natural teeth. Individuals need to keep their implants free from plaque and tartar buildup by continuing to brush them twice a day like  they would with their natural teeth. They should also floss, which is especially important after eating food or at least rinsing with water right after eating or using mouthwash to provide a quick clean after meals. 

We suggest you use the following tools in order to clean your dental implants:

  • Tartar-control toothpaste that is minimally abrasive
  • Dental floss
  • Small, soft manual or electric toothbrush
  • Interdental brushes for removing plaque between the teeth on both sides of the dental implants
  • Antibacterial mouthwash

It’s also important to remember that cleaning your dental implants is quite similar to natural teeth; dental implants can be scratched very easily. Therefore, be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid brushing too aggressively.

One more important part of caring for your dental implants is making sure you keep up with regular visits with your dentist near you. You should have your dental implants professionally cleaned every six months to ensure that your dental implants stay in top shape while guarding against dental implant failure. 

What are the Risks Associated with Not Caring for My Dental Implants Properly?

If patients do not care for their dental implants properly, they risk the chances of dental implant failure. It’s important to be aware of the signs of complications or problems related to the overall health of your implants. You might experience:

  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Redness

If you have these early warning signs of dental implant failure and do not address them, patients risk peri-implantitis. This is an inflammatory process that affects both soft and hard tissues surrounding the dental implant and can lead to dental implant failure.

If you have any questions about the care of your dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. Our friendly staff are ready to answer any questions or concerns that you might have about your dental implants, the dental implant procedure or how to care for them once they are implanted. 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment to learn about Dental Implant options, please call us at (519) 238-2368 or visit https://grandbendfamilydental.com/ to learn more.