Home Care for Dental Implants
Healthy gums form a protective seal around teeth and implants. This seal protects your teeth and implants from bacteria that are normally present in your mouth. Bacteria can be found on all surfaces of the mouth, including your natural teeth, implant posts, crowns, dentures, gums, and tongue. Bacteria produce substances that are toxic to your jaw and gums that must be removed. They can multiply and cause infection in and around your teeth and around your implants. This can result in bone loss and failure of the implant.
Dental Checkups
Schedule regular visits with your restorative dentist to clean your natural teeth and the implant abutment posts. This needs to be done at least (2) times per year.
Home Care for Implants
Clean your prosthetic (false) and natural teeth after every meal using the following steps:
- Remove denture prior to brushing gums or implant posts. For crowns or bridges not removable, brush like a natural tooth. Use a soft toothbrush with circular motion and light pressure. Brush the area where the implant or tooth meets the gums. Brush for at least two minutes with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- After every meal, remove plaque from the implant posts and any fixed bridges/crowns using waxed dental floss. Use a gentle back and forth motion to get the floss between the teeth, then curve the floss around the tooth in a “C” or horseshoe shape. Gently slide the floss up and down the sides of the tooth and implant post.
- At least once every other day, soak the denture in a denture cleanser such as Efferdent. You may also brush the denture with a soft bristle brush with a mild hand soap or mild toothpaste.
- Leave your removable denture out at night to allow the tissue to relax and keep gums healthy.
- After brushing and flossing, you may rinse your mouth with either plain water or regular mouthwash such as ACT.
- Call our office or your general dental office with any questions.
