Ensuring Dental Implants Last A Long Time

Brushing twice a day, using an irrigator several times a week, and attending professional dental hygiene appointments every six months: combined with a responsible attitude to oral hygiene, these routines will ensure your implants enjoy a long life – while also contributing to good general oral health!

If you have just had a new crown or denture fitted to your implants, then you’ve probably had all the care instructions you need from your doctor. But if you’re about to have that procedure, or if you just want to refresh your knowledge, it’s worth remembering that you should follow these three steps to take good care of your new implants:

1. Brushing Your Teeth

With implant-supported dentures, brushing should be identical to the brushing of natural teeth: brush twice a day, cleaning the surfaces. Make sure you pay special attention to the line where the tooth (or prosthesis) is attached to the gums. Every time you brush, not only the front and upper surfaces should be brushed, but also the surfaces on the inside and between the teeth.

Toothbrushes with thin bristles can provide better benefits. There is no need for a special toothpaste, but a toothbrush with soft bristles is recommended. If you have a removable denture, remember to brush it and to put it in a special solution for dentures overnight – your doctor will help you to decide which solution is suitable for you.

2. Rinsing Your Mouth With Mouthwash And Irrigator

An additional antibacterial effect can be achieved by rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth. The recommended rinsing solutions are those which do not dry the delicate membranes that line the inside of your mouth as this can only increase the risks of gum disease. For daily care of natural teeth, mouthwash is enough; however, for implants, we suggest using a special device called an irrigator for rinsing. You should do this several times a week, but the exact frequency will be recommended by your doctor. It works with water or mouthwash.

Using an irrigator helps to remove plaque in places it’s hard to reach with a toothbrush. It massages the gums and increases the blood flow, thereby preventing diseases, lowering the risk of caries, helping sensitive teeth and freshening the breath.

3. Regular dental hygiene

However, there are things which you cannot achieve at home, regardless of how good your toothpaste is or how perfect your brushing discipline is. To remove all tartar and plaque you should visit a dental hygienist regularly. At least twice a year is the recommended frequency – it is undoubtedly a worthwhile procedure for your health and peace of mind.

Dental hygienists at Dental Art Implant Clinics will not only professionally cleanse your oral cavity but will also answer any questions you have regarding the care of your implants.