Dental implants can restore your smile and provide a durable replacement for missing teeth. With proper care, they can potentially last for decades. While brushing is an important part of your routine, flossing is just as essential. Cleaning around your implants helps remove plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush may not reach, supporting the health of the gums and tissues around your implant.
Why Is Flossing Important for Dental Implants?
Even though dental implants cannot develop cavities like natural teeth, the surrounding gums and bone can still be affected by bacteria and inflammation. Plaque that accumulates around an implant can contribute to gum inflammation and increase the risk of a condition called peri-implantitis.
Peri-implantitis affects the tissues surrounding a dental implant and can eventually contribute to bone loss and implant complications. Daily flossing can help keep these areas cleaner and support the long-term health of your restoration.
How Should You Floss Around Implants?
The best flossing technique can depend on the type and placement of your implant. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you exactly how to clean around your restoration, but there are a few general tips to keep in mind.
Start by gently guiding the floss between your implant and neighboring teeth. Rather than snapping the floss down against your gums, use controlled, gentle movements. Once the floss is underneath the area around the implant, curve it around the implant and move it back and forth to remove plaque and debris.
You may also need to clean beneath the portion of the implant-supported restoration that sits above your gums. Specialized implant floss, floss threaders, or other interdental cleaning tools can make these areas easier to reach.
Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Smile
Having dental implants doesn’t mean you can neglect your natural teeth. Continue brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between all of your teeth daily.
Water flossers may also be useful for cleaning around dental implants, particularly in areas that are difficult to access with traditional floss. However, ask your dental professional whether a water flosser is appropriate for your specific restoration and how to use it correctly.
Regular professional cleanings are important, too. Your dental team can check your implants and surrounding tissues while removing buildup that you may not be able to eliminate at home.
Watch for Signs of a Problem
While cleaning around your implants, pay attention to changes in your gums or the implant itself. Bleeding, persistent redness, swelling, tenderness, pus, bad taste, or changes in how an implant feels can be signs that something needs attention.
An implant that feels loose should be evaluated promptly. Don’t try to ignore symptoms simply because an implant isn’t a natural tooth. Addressing potential problems early can help protect the surrounding tissues and your investment in your smile.
Keep Your Implants Healthy for Years to Come
Dental implants are designed to be durable, but they still require consistent maintenance. Daily flossing, thorough brushing, regular dental visits, and professional cleanings can all play a role in keeping your implants and natural teeth healthy.
A few extra minutes of careful cleaning each day can go a long way toward protecting your smile.
About the Practice
Healthy Smiles Lansing Dentist provides comprehensive dental care, including dental implants and other restorative and preventive services. The practice focuses on helping patients maintain comfortable, healthy smiles through personalized treatment and ongoing dental care.
Call us at (517) 333-3160 or schedule your appointment online.