Dental implants are a common treatment plan to replace missing teeth. Implants can also stabilize dentures for comfort as well as function. To make sure the implant lasts, patients must keep it clean and free of bacteria and plaque, which can lead to gum infections and implant failure.
Dental hygienists have an extremely important role in order to keep dental implants disease-free. The dental hygiene scalers traditionally used on natural teeth might scratch a crown, abutment, or implant, so your hygienist will have to use special tools made of plastic and resin to clean without causing any damage.
As the implant recipient, you also play a significant role. Here’s how you can care for your implants at home:
For single implants
- Clean twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush
- Use a low-abrasive toothpaste
- Brush under and around the implant crown
- Floss daily with unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss
For overdentures
- Remove denture daily and soak in recommended cleaner
- Inspect o-rings, locator caps, and clips and alert your dentist if worn or missing
- Gently brush the underside of the denture with a denture brush
Getting dental implants will be a long process that spans a couple of months from start to finish. Knowing that, it’s important to take care of your investment and your mouth health. Contact the professionals at Princeton Prosthodontics and Dental Implants to learn more about the procedure and what you can expect.