Dental implants are a big deal, and you should be fully briefed on how to take care of them before you go ahead with the procedure. Your trusted cosmetic dentist will be able to take care of you from start to finish, offering the best solutions for restoring your teeth back to great dental health. Dental implants are like a new pair of dentures that are permanently fixated inside your mouth, giving you a new lease on life. Below, we cover 4 tips for how to floss around dental implants.
4 Tips for How to Floss Around Dental Implants
The most important thing you need to do after getting your implants is learn how to properly take care of them. Today, your Tropic Dental Care experts are going to give you the top 4 tips for how to floss around dental implants so that you can take the best care of your brand-new teeth.
Why Floss?
Flossing is important whether or not you have dental implants. You need to floss your teeth to remove food particles and other bacteria lodged in those difficult-to-reach spaces. Cleaning this debris out from between your teeth is the best way to prevent a buildup of plaque and tartar. These all can lead to a serious infection.
Your dental implants can be affected by a buildup of bacteria as well. Untreated infections spread to the gums, which is where your teeth – both natural and implanted – are rooted. Gum infections can make implants fall out. But they also can cause so much pain that you will need an expensive procedure to repair the extra damage. Any space that your toothbrush can’t reach should get a gentle flossing every day.
How to Floss an Implant
You can still floss your implants just like you would floss your regular teeth, but there are a couple of things you must do differently in order to effectively floss them. Follow these top 4 tips to keep your implants pristine and healthy:
Be Gentle
Holding the floss around your fingers, gently wiggle it up and down in between the sides of your implants. You can let go with one hand once you are done, letting the floss fall out naturally. If you meet too much resistance, you might be flossing too hard, and you can put your dental implant at risk.
Get a Floss Threader
Having trouble getting the floss to properly fit in between your implants, bridges, and other types of dental work? You might benefit from a dentist-recommended floss threader. This device helps to properly thread the floss around the teeth so you can gently remove debris without harming your implants. As soon as you are done, make sure to rinse your mouth with warm water.
Always Be Careful
It is important to exercise as much caution as you can when you are flossing your implants. Rubbing the floss between your teeth too hard could cause your implant to loosen from the sealant that is keeping it attached to your gums. Not only can this separation loosen your implant. But it can also cause bacteria and decay to build up in this new pocket that has formed. It can be very difficult to remove bacteria from this area.
Get an Oral Irrigator
Another helpful tool that can assist in the gentle flossing of your implants is an oral irrigator. This is a simple device that shoots pressurized water out of a spout, helping you remove debris without using an actual piece of floss. Also called a “water flosser,” an oral irrigator is a good idea for those with sensitive teeth.
Get More Flossing Tips from Our Pros Today
When you get a new set of dental implants, you want to make sure they last a lifetime. You can avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar through regular flossing. This practice should prove a part of your daily routine. Learn more about how to properly floss when you get in touch with Tropic Dental Care today!
