Whether you have your natural teeth, dental implants or implant supported dentures, proper brushing and flossing should be part of your daily oral care regimen. It’s needed because your mouth still carries out its normal functions regardless of your tooth materials. Eating, drinking, producing saliva and other normal biological processes still take place, creating deposits that the bacteria in your mouth feeds on. Unchecked, this can lead to cavities, gum disease and other serious dental issues. As noted, brushing and flossing can prevent these concerns, but they need to be done properly every day. For this post, we’re going to focus on flossing dental implants, since it’s what people are the least familiar with. Continue reading to learn more.
Why Should I Floss Artificial Teeth?
One of the main things implant patients want to know is why they need to floss “fake” teeth. The major benefit is removing trapped food particles that fuel bacteria growth, which can begin to compromise other structures such as the gums. The following post provides more reasons why you need to floss dental implants:
Even though implants don’t decay, they can still develop plaque which can irritate and inflame the surrounding gum tissue. Your implants rely on healthy gums to be successful. If you develop periodontal disease, you could experience gum recession and even bone erosion. In the end, you are more likely to have a dental implant failure. Keeping up an excellent oral hygiene routine and seeing your dentist regularly is essential for optimal oral health.
By properly caring for your dental implants with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, you will be able to reap their benefits for many years to come! Read more at Windermere Dentistry
Remaining diligent with your daily mouth care routine is vital for sustaining good health in the long-term.
How To Floss Your Implants
Now that you see why you should floss your implants every day, you might be wondering if there are any special techniques to know. This excerpted article has some key tips:
Even though dental implants don’t get cavities, you still need to keep them clean. One of the most commonly overlooked parts of dental implant maintenance is daily flossing. You’ll want to use traditional floss or an appropriate floss holder that allows you to work the strand down in-between each tooth and implant.
Once the floss is in place, wrap it in a “C” shape against the side of your crown and implant, gently rubbing up and down its side several times. Then lift the floss up over your gum tissue and move to the next tooth. With flossing, you’re specifically trying to clean where the teeth touch as well as just under the edges of your gumlines. Those “pocket” areas are where biofilm tends to collect, which could lead to infections like gingivitis, gum disease, and peri-implantitis. Read more at Raleigh Dental Arts
To thoroughly clean your implants, you’ll need floss that won’t easily break or shred. The last thing you want is pieces of floss getting stuck in your implants, increasing the risk of infection. Let’s take a look at more complications to avoid.
Be Aware When Flossing Implants
Researching dental implants may turn up information that actively discourages flossing them. One reason is the potential risk of flossing the wrong way and damaging your appliance. The post below addresses this concern and more:
[S]ome dentists recommend against flossing simply because having an aggressive technique can be dangerous to the survival of your dental implants. This is because there is a thin barrier between the implants and the underlying bone. In natural teeth, this barrier is made up of the periodontal ligament. However, periodontal ligaments are removed when implants are placed, and the remaining barrier is thin and more susceptible to damage. Aggressive flossing can cause this barrier to tear, which can allow bacteria to reach the underlying bone. When this happens, it can lead to bone loss and implant failure. Read more at Bethesda Family Dentistry
Campbell Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is the leading provider of dental implants in the Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL metro area. Dr. William Campbell and his team are committed to providing an outstanding experience for every patient. If you’re dealing with tooth loss, call us at 706-324-6106 or reach us through the contact form on our website to schedule your implant consultation. If you have any questions or concerns about treatment, any member of our helpful staff will be happy to speak with you.
