Dental implants are an effective way to get a full smile you love. They restore up to 90% of your bite and let you dive into a wide range of foods more easily compared to other options. Better yet, they can last for decades! This tooth replacement can only reach this lifespan with proper care, and flossing is one step of your oral hygiene routine you shouldn’t skip. Here’s a guide to ensure you do this habit right.
Is Flossing Really Necessary with Dental Implants?
Although cavities aren’t a worry anymore with dental implants, bacteria in your mouth can still attack the supporting structures. If so, you risk developing peri-implantitis. This infection can make your gums inflamed and cause jawbone loss. You risk experiencing failure as this condition is left untreated.
What’s the Right Way to Floss Around My Dental Implants?
It’s important you remove plaque to protect your investment in your smile, so flossing is a step of your dental hygiene you should stick to. If you aren’t used to doing this habit, then you might be lost on how to start, so here’s a short step-by-step process:
- Use unwaxed floss with a threader or get super floss. This latter tool is precut with stiff ends, so it’s easier to push between your teeth.
- Guide the thread along your restoration and underneath your bridge, if you have one.
- Move it up and down, then go to the other side when finished.
When flossing your dental implants, make sure you don’t push the thread underneath your gumline. You might be used to this with your natural teeth, but this can disrupt the peri-implant seal created with your tooth replacement.
Doing this habit too aggressively and deep can allow bacteria into the gum pocket, which can lead to trouble down the line. If you are worried about this, then you can use a water flosser. It’s just as effective, and it shouldn’t break the seal!
How Else Can I Keep My Dental Implants Healthy?
Flossing is important, but don’t forget to brush, follow a healthy diet, and have routine visits with your dentist. By supporting your full smile at home, your provider can then watch for any red flags and signs of failure. If anything is worrying, it can get sorted sooner rather than later to keep your restored grin in great shape.
About the Author
Dr. Vrajesh Shah earned his dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry and completed his Prosthodontic training at the same institution. He has over 20 years of experience that he uses to replace missing teeth in Edison. By completing the entire dental implant process in-house, you stay with Dr. Shah and his team every step of the way. If you have any questions about caring for your full smile, schedule an appointment or call his office at (732) 906-0077.