When you have missing teeth, dental implants can be a life-changing investment. Finding a dentist in Tampa, FL, who helps your smile look natural and permanent can make everyday activities like eating and speaking feel effortless again. Daily oral hygiene and regular dentist visits can help your dental implants last a long time. Here are some ways to clean and maintain your dental implants.

Daily cleaning is a must for dental implants

While the dental implant post itself is a biocompatible titanium fixture, the surrounding gum tissue and bone can be prone to infection. The leading cause of implant failure is a condition called peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that develops when plaque and bacteria accumulate around the base of the implant crown. To avoid bacteria, which can cause inflammation, recession, and eventually, bone loss, daily cleaning is a must. Not keeping up with cleanings can make the entire dental implant fail.

With dental implants, infection can progress quickly, leading to a more rapid and severe loss of bone and implant failure. Making daily cleaning a routine is the best way to maximize the lifespan of your dental implants. Regular cleaning not only protects the surrounding gum tissue but also helps preserve the healthy bone that supports your implant. By keeping up with consistent oral hygiene, you reduce the risk of complications and support long-term success.

As a first-time dental implant patient, you may be nervous, which is a normal reaction. One thing to remember is that the titanium post won’t decay, but your bone and gum tissue can. To keep them clean, consider using antimicrobial mouthwash in addition to brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. This can help fight bacteria and lessen the risk of infection. Focusing on prevention helps to support the health of your tissue that keeps your dental implant in place. You can also gently rinse with warm salt water after meals if recommended by your dentist to keep the area free of food debris and irritation.

Techniques for implant care

Brushing your teeth does help keep your teeth clean, but caring for a dental implant may require a more focused technique. Don’t use abrasive toothpastes or hard-bristled toothbrushes; these can scratch the implant surface or irritate the surrounding gums. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush head designed for implant care. They are made to get into small and tight spaces. Bacteria can collect where the gum line meets the implant, so brushing and focusing on these areas is what will keep your dental implant healthy. Don’t brush too roughly, so you don’t irritate your gum line.

For cleanings between teeth, string floss can be tricky to use. Specialized implant floss, like floss threaders or interdental brushes, can make the space beneath the implant crown easier to clean. Many dental implant patients find that a water flosser is an effective and convenient tool for removing plaque and debris from the hard-to-reach areas around and below the gumline. In the water flosser, you can add an antimicrobial mouthwash or a solution prescribed by your dentist, which can help keep bacteria away. It may sound like a lot of work, but if you regularly maintain good oral hygiene already, it’s just changing out some tools that are better for dental implants. If you use these daily, the tools can help keep all surfaces of your implant clean, while keeping your mouth healthy and preventing the onset of peri-implantitis.

Keep your smile bright and healthy

To keep your smile bright and healthy, home care is a must, but this is only half the battle. Regular professional check-ups and cleanings are necessary for implant maintenance. Your dentists have specialized instruments that can safely remove hardened plaque from the surfaces of your dental implants without scratching them.

Your dental hygienist may take regular X-rays to check the bone level supporting your implant, catching any signs of bone loss long before you feel any discomfort. Continue scheduling your routine maintenance appointments, and your dental team can help protect your implant and ensure your dental implants last a long time. To restore your smile, make an appointment with a dentist in Tampa, FL to learn if you are a candidate for dental implants.