Keeping Your Implants Clean - Sedaros Oral Surgery

When you get new dental implants, one of your first concerns will be keeping the implants and the rest of your mouth in good condition. Taking care of implants is not complicated or difficult, but it does require specific knowledge. To have the very best experience with your new dental implants, it’s very important that you follow all instructions from Dr. Sedaros. Read on to learn some of the advice that Dr. Sedaros typically gives new dental implant patients.

Brushing Your Dental Implants

Brushing is the most crucial part of dental implant care, as it’s the main way that you can keep implants clean. Use an extra soft bristle toothbrush on your new dental implants. Brushing is very much like it was before you had the dental implants — however, it’s important to use a light touch. Brush two times a day, and take your time to make certain that you clean all tooth and gum surfaces thoroughly. You can recognize healthy gums by their color and firmness. The gums should be pink, and should never be loose around the implants.

Flossing With Dental Implants

You should floss your entire mouth very carefully once a day after getting new dental implants. As you floss, it’s important to move the floss all the way up to and around the implant base. Flossing is best done at night so you can remove any debris that may remain after brushing. If you use regular dental floss, opt for the unwaxed type. Many patients find that using a dental floss made especially for dental implants is the best choice, as this type of floss is easy to thread through the crevices between the teeth for optimal flossing. In the beginning, it might take you a bit longer to floss with your new implants. However, as you grow used to the more extensive flossing routine, it will become quite simple, quick, and easy.

Using Oral Irrigators With Dental Implants

An oral irrigator such as a waterpik can be extremely helpful in keeping your new dental implants clean. Many patients use an oral irrigator as a supplement to brushing and flossing, but it should never be used to completely replace flossing. Oral irrigators have a range of tips, and the best option for dental implants is usually the soft rubber tip. Many of the best oral irrigators allow you to adjust the water pressure. It’s usually best to choose light or medium pressure when using an oral irrigator with your new dental implants. The oral irrigator is very effective at flushing away any debris that might remain after brushing and flossing. It’s also an effective safeguard against plaque and tartar.

Signs That Implants Aren’t Clean

There are several possible signs that dental implants aren’t clean. When bacteria gets into the gums around the implant, infection can quickly set in because the area is still vulnerable when the implant is new. Signs of infection can include:

Puffiness in the gums around the implant
Redness in the gums around the implant
Pain or extreme sensitivity in the implant area
Bleeding when you brush, floss, or irrigate the dental implant area

When you notice the signs above, it’s vital that you contact Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants immediately. If the problem isn’t treated right away, you could develop peri-implantitis. In its advanced stage, peri-implantitis can cause you to lose both gum tissue and bone in your jaw. Advanced peri-implantitis can require implant removal and may require surgery to save bone tissue. If peri-implantitis is not treated, infection can spread throughout the body and cause severe health issues — and it could possibly even be fatal.

Dr. Sedaros specializes in dental implants and oral surgery. He offers the most advanced and most effective treatments available today, including platelet rich plasma, bone grafting, sinus lift, and much more. Contact us at Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants to arrange an appointment with Dr. Sedaros today.