Though your new dental implants are not “real” teeth and are not subject to tooth decay and cavities, failing to take proper care of them can still be very dangerous. That’s because while your implants are prosthetic, your gums, jawbones, and any remaining natural teeth are not, and are still at risk for health problems. Here’s why flossing your dental implants is still very important, even if you have no real teeth.
The Importance of Flossing
Flossing your teeth (whether real or prosthetic) helps keep them clean. In fact, did you know that brushing alone only cleans about 70 percent of their surface? This is because your toothbrush can’t reach the other 30 percent. Thus, because it fits in narrow spaces, flossing can help. But while you needn’t worry about cavities in your dental implants, you still do need to protect yourself against bad breath and gum disease, both of which can occur if you don’t floss properly.
Another risk that is unique to dental implants is peri-implantitis. Like gum disease, this infection affects the soft and hard tissue surrounding your dental implants. It can happen when bacteria and food accumulate around them and the gum line, and if left untreated can lead to implant failure. Regular flossing can help prevent it and keep your implants safe and healthy for a lifetime.
How to Floss with Dental Implants
Flossing your dental implants can be done either before or after you brush your teeth. Exactly when is entirely up to you. Here are some steps to do it efficiently to help prevent dangerous risks like peri-implantitis, gum disease and implant failure.
- Using an 18-inch piece of dental floss, gently glide it up and down between each tooth (both real and prosthetic). If you need to use a floss threader, this may make it easier to get the floss underneath.
- Rub the floss along the sides of the implant and crown to remove any accumulations of bacteria and plaque.
- Move it around the base of the tooth and underneath the tooth, creating a “c” shape as you move.
- Once you floss between two teeth, gently pull the floss out and move onto the next two with a clean section.
- If you struggle to floss using traditional dental floss, you can also try a water flosser or oral irrigator, which uses a high-pressure stream of water to loosen food, debris, and plaque from between your teeth.
Remember, just because your teeth aren’t “real” doesn’t mean that the risks to your oral health for not flossing them aren’t. To ensure that your gums, remaining teeth, and the dental implants themselves stay healthy and strong, be sure to brush and floss your teeth every day and visit your dentist twice a year for your regular, biannual cleanings and exams.
About Our Practice
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we are experts in treating complex oral health problems, including tooth loss. Dental implants are a durable, functional, and natural-looking solution to lost teeth, but they still do require you to care for them. That’s why we’re here for you every step of the way, including long after your implants are installed.
If you’re interested in restoring your smile with the help of these versatile prosthetics, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling us at 408-292-2848.