How Do You Keep Dental Implants Clean?

Dentist Blog

Many tooth replacement methods like bridges and dentures require a little extra care in order to keep them clean and in one piece. If you're curious about what you would need to do in order to keep your dental implants intact and clean once you have them, then you've come to the right place. Read on to find out about the answers to your questions about implant dentistry.

Initially

When you first have a dental implant put in, the crown won't immediately be mounted on top. That's because the tissues around the implant need time to heal and the implant itself needs to be supported by bone before it is strong enough to support a crown.

During this time, you'll still need to keep the implant and your gums clean. To do this, you'll want to follow your dentist's directions explicitly. But, in most cases, you can expect to simply brush the visible top of the implant gently. You want to be very gentle so as to not accidentally open up your gums or cause an injury.

After The Crown Is Mounted

Once the crown is mounted on top of the implant, your responsibilities will change somewhat. The good news is that you already know how to take care of a completed dental implant: you brush it!

Unlike dentures, which are one solid piece and dental bridges that connect to neighboring teeth with wires, everything that keeps a dental implant in place is beneath the surface. So you would clean the crown on top just the way you would a normal tooth. Brush the tops, sides, and edges of the crown gently at the same time you brush your other teeth. That's really all there is to it.

Notes

It's worth noting here that although your dental crown and implant can't decay, they still rely upon healthy gums in order to function properly. For this reason, you'll want to start flossing again once your dental implant is fully in place and healed. This will keep your gums healthy and will ensure that your implant is there to serve you for years if not decades to come.

Dental implants are one of the most favored replacement methods for missing teeth for a lot of reasons, including their durability. But the ease with which you can take care of them is a huge bonus, too. If you've been considering implants but haven't made the final leap yet, isn't it time to do so?

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25 March 2020

To Tell the Tooth: A Dental Blog

Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.