Dental implants from Total Freedom Dental Implant Center in Scottsdale, AZ can last a lifetime, when proper hygiene and care is performed by the patient. Ensuring you have a consistent and effective plan is essential.
Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jaw to support artificial teeth. They are so secure and sturdy in the jaw, they have become the tooth replacement option of choice. It is important that patients maintain good oral hygiene to ensure the success of dental implants.
Patients must try to eliminate 85% of plaque/biofilm daily to maintain excellent overall health of the implant ¹. Taking care of implant-supported teeth is not much different than taking care of natural teeth. Since bacteria and plaque can build up on an artificial crown just like on a tooth, it must be cleaned daily. We recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.
Follow these four steps to care for your dental implants:
1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Plaque and bacteria can form around an implant and cause gum inflammation and lead to peri-implant disease, such as peri-implant mucositis, which his similar to gingivitis and peri-implantitis, which is similar to periodontitis. By brushing your teeth twice a day, you can prevent disease and ensure the longevity of your dental implants.
2. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush
Nylon Toothbrushes have bristles that are pliable and gentle on your dental implants. Toothbrushes with hard bristles can scratch the surface of your implants. Soft bristles will still do an exceptional job or wiping away the food and plaque. It is important to Thoroughly brush any crowns in your mouth.
3. Flossing with unwaxed dental tape
Only about 16% of American adults floss their teeth every day. Most of the population is not flossing enough. With dental implants, flossing is incredibly important because plaque can easily build up around the implants which can lead to dental issues.
To properly floss around a dental implant, you must loop the floss around the implant, like a crisscross and bring the floss through. This will get out any stuck food trapped around the base of the crown and implant post.
4. Using an oral irrigator
We recommend that our patients use a Waterpik Water Flosser to help clean around the implants and promote healthy gums. An oral irrigator removes plaque and debris that gets caught deep between teeth and below the gumline. It has proven to reach places where brushing and string flossing cannot reach.
Dental Implants in Scottsdale, AZ
Regular checkups at our office as also important. These will include cleanings with a hygienist. We will also help you maintain your home care with useful tips. At Total Freedom Dental Implant Center, we are dedicated to the success of dental implants for all our patients. We will educate you and ensure you are comfortable with your at-home care.
By taking good care of the implant and crown, you can avoid failure and implant loss. At Total Freedom Dental Implant Center in Scottsdale, Arizona we provide full mouth dental implants, all-on-4s and single-tooth dental implants, and have successfully placed them in patients from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City and Peoria. They appreciate our experience and straightforward pricing, free second opinions, and in-office lab. Please call us to schedule an appointment today at 480-860-9002!
