3 Tips For Cleaning Your New Dental Implants

If you have recently received new dental implants, you may wonder if there is anything special you need to do to maintain them. If so, use the following tips to keep your new dental implants clean and free from damage.

1.  Switch Over to a Soft Toothbrush

If you have always used a medium- to hard-bristled toothbrush, you should consider switching over to using one with soft bristles. Stiff bristles are not necessary, and their abrasiveness could actually scratch the surface of your implants. While you may believe that stiffer bristles will keep your implants and natural teeth cleaner, these harder bristles are not what removes food particles and bacteria. The important thing is to concentrate your brushing technique. 

Using circular, even strokes while using a soft toothbrush should be enough to thoroughly clean the surfaces of your implants. Or, you may want to use an electric toothbrush with a soft-bristled head using light pressure to clean both your teeth and implants.

2.  Use a Non-abrasive Toothpaste

Along with changing the toothbrush that you use to clean your implants, you should also take a look at the toothpaste you are using. If you are using any type of whitening toothpaste or one that contains baking soda, you should change your paste to a fluoridated one without any abrasive ingredients.

If you use a baking soda or other whitening toothpaste on your implants, the abrasiveness will cause micro-damage to the surface. If you are concerned about the brightness of your natural teeth, discuss your options with your dentist instead of trying to whiten them yourself.

3.  Clean Between Your Teeth With a Water Flosser

When you have implants, it is just as important to keep the spaces between your teeth and around the implants clear of food particles and bacteria. However, traditional flossing may not be the best choice for performing this task.

Especially when you first receive your dental implants, your gums will be a little inflamed and sore while the tissue adjusts to the new posts and prosthetics. If you clean with dental floss, you may aggravate the already sore gum tissue. To keep from irritating your gums, use a water flosser instead of floss to clean around the implants and between your teeth. The flosser will gently flush away any food or germs while not harming your gums.

Using the above tips after getting new dental implants can help you keep them clean. For more information about taking care of your implants on a daily basis, discuss any questions or concerns with the dentist who provided your dental implant services.


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