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Dental Implant Cleaning Techniques

A Brownstown Dental Care blog post by Dr. Ben Hanson

350x dental implants3Missing teeth can cause a variety of oral and overall health issues. The good news is, you don’t have to live with tooth loss. You do have options for replacement. One of the most popular treatments at Brownstown Dental Care is dental implants.

According to dental experts, approximately 3 million people in the USA currently have dental implants, and approximately 500,000 are getting them every year. Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement because they look, feel, and function more like natural teeth due to being implanted in the jawbone.

The key to ensuring that your implants last as long as possible is with proper care and maintenance. If you don’t take proper care of them, you increase your risk of implant failure. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about how to properly care for your dental implants.

Cleaning Single Implants

Cleaning single implants is much like brushing your natural teeth:

  • Consider using a soft-bristled electric toothbrush

    Electric toothbrushes have been proven more effective than manual because it generates more brush strokes. Soft bristles are just as effective as medium or hard for removing tartar and plaque buildup- and are less likely to cause bleeding or damage to your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth.

  • Brush in the morning and the evening

    According to the American Dental Association, you should brush at least twice daily: when you wake up and before you go to bed. Some dental professionals even recommend that you brush after every meal to remove food debris and bacteria to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

  • Use an oral irrigator

    An oral irrigator, commonly known as a water flosser, removes bacteria from gum pockets up to 6 mm deep. Many come with attachments designed to clean hard-to-reach areas. This should be done before brushing to avoid washing away any fluoride that is deposited on teeth during brushing.

  • Use Crown/Bridge Floss

    In addition, you should use crown and bridge floss, which is designed to clean under and around dental implants. This device has two nylon ends and a fuzzy middle so that you can insert it between the gums and the implant and pull it out on the other side. This should be done after brushing while you still have toothpaste residue in your mouth so that you can distribute the fluoride.

  • Use a dental implant-friendly toothpaste

    Ask your dentist to recommend a toothpaste that is designed for dental implants. If you use toothpaste that contains ingredients such as baking soda, peroxide, or other stain-removing agents, you could damage your porcelain or acrylic crowns.

  • Use an interdental or angled-neck toothbrush

    When cleaning your dental implants, it is important to get around and under the crown to remove bacteria and plaque buildup. A slim interdental or angled-neck toothbrush can reach these areas, especially if the implant is near the back of your jaw.

Cleaning All-on-4 Dental Implants

The process for cleaning All-on-4 dental implants is much like cleaning single implants, with just a few additional steps.

Single implants and All-on-4 dental implants are made of the same materials, which means that care and maintenance are basically the same: brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste and use a water flosser. However, since the All-on-4 system permanently supports a full arch with 4 dental implants, you must make sure to remove food debris that gets lodged between the prosthesis and gumline.

Use the rubber stimulator on the water flosser

Water flossers typically include attachments, such as a rubber stimulator that can be used to remove food particles that get lodged between the prosthesis and gums. This should be used at least once a day. However, be sure to only use the low to medium settings- high could cause the implant and tissue to separate.

Use a sulcus brush

A sulcus brush is a fraction of the size of a standard toothbrush and can be used to clean the area where the bridge transitions to soft tissue.

Cleaning Overdentures

The process for cleaning overdentures is slightly different since they are removable:

  • Gently brush overdenture

    Take the time to carefully and thoroughly brush your overdenture at least once a day to eliminate bacteria that accumulates during the day. Make sure to use a non-abrasive cleanser or one that is specifically designed for dentures. Do not use regular toothpaste, as this could cause damage to the surface of the denture.

  • Place overdenture in water or denture cleanser

    Removable dentures should be placed in water or a cleaning solution overnight. This will keep them clean and help them retain their shape. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on the package to prevent damaging the overdenture.

  • Rinse in cool water

    Before placing your overdenture back in your mouth, rinse it under cool running water to remove any loose bacteria from accumulating. This also reduces your risk of unpleasant side effects associated with denture cleaning solutions such as burning, pain, or nausea/vomiting.

  • Inspect dentures daily

    Take the time every day to inspect the various components of your dentures to ensure they are still in working order. If you find that anything is missing or damaged, contact the dentist right away for replacement or repair.

  • Replace components annually

    In order to maximize the lifespan of your overdentures, most dental professionals recommend that you replace locator caps and o-rings once yearly. If you have any problems in between your annual maintenance, contact your dentist right away.

Maximize the Lifespan of Your Dental Implants

The process for cleaning overdentures is slightly different since they are removable:

  • Gently brush overdenture

    Take the time to carefully and thoroughly brush your overdenture at least once a day to eliminate bacteria that accumulates during the day. Make sure to use a non-abrasive cleanser or one that is specifically designed for dentures. Do not use regular toothpaste, as this could cause damage to the surface of the denture.

  • Place overdenture in water or denture cleanser

    Removable dentures should be placed in water or a cleaning solution overnight. This will keep them clean and help them retain their shape. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on the package to prevent damaging the overdenture.

  • Rinse in cool water

    Before placing your overdenture back in your mouth, rinse it under cool running water to remove any loose bacteria from accumulating. This also reduces your risk of unpleasant side effects associated with denture cleaning solutions such as burning, pain, or nausea/vomiting.

  • Inspect dentures daily

    Take the time every day to inspect the various components of your dentures to ensure they are still in working order. If you find that anything is missing or damaged, contact the dentist right away for replacement or repair.

  • Replace components annually

    In order to maximize the lifespan of your overdentures, most dental professionals recommend that you replace locator caps and o-rings once yearly. If you have any problems in between your annual maintenance, contact your dentist right away.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation at Brownstown Dental Care

If you are missing teeth, it is important to replace them as soon as possible to avoid future issues. The team at Brownstown Dental Care offers several options for tooth replacement, including dental implant-based options. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about your options.

Dental Implant FAQs

Below are some of the most common questions that we get about how to care for dental implants. If we have not answered yours, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you!

What is the best way to clean dental implants?

Dental implants should be cleaned like natural teeth. Brush twice daily and floss at least once with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

How do you clean dental implant screws?

If you have a removable overdenture, you can clean the implant screws by brushing your gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. If your overdenture or crown is not removable, you can use crown/bridge floss to get closer to the implant screw.

What toothpaste is safe for implants?

Avoid toothpaste that contains abrasive ingredients such as peroxide, baking soda, or other cleansers. Find one that states “safe for dental implants” on the label or ask the dentist to recommend one.

What maintenance is required for implants?

Proper maintenance for dental implants includes brushing twice daily, flossing at least once with a water flosser and crown/bridge floss, and visiting the dentist twice yearly for an exam and cleaning.

Do dental implants get dirty?

The implant screws themselves don’t get dirty because they are inserted into your jawbone like your natural tooth roots. However, the crowns and overdenture do get dirty, just like your natural teeth.

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