The Basics of Caring for Dental Implants

When it comes to the health of your mouth, caring for your dental implants can be just as important as getting them in the first place.

Dental implants are permanent titanium fixtures that are surgically adhered to the jawline in order to serve as a mount for an artificial tooth. They’ve been in use since 1965, with significant improvements in both dental implant materials and techniques in the decades since. Along the way, we’ve also learned more about proper dental implant care and maintenance, including what steps you need to take when caring for dental implants at home to ensure they stay in optimal condition.

Not caring for dental implants correctly can be painful—and costly. Here’s what you should know about how to care for a new tooth implant, with easy tips to keep your implant safe, clean, and well-maintained.

Why Cleaning Dental Implant Fixtures is Key

Dental implant surgery is an important first step in resolving issues due to broken, dying, or missing teeth, and caring for an implant after it’s in place is crucial to both short- and long-term recovery.

Implants are expensive. And if you don’t take good care of them, it’s very possible that you’ll end up causing some damage—you may even need a replacement. Possible risks include:

• Infection (peri-implantitis)
• Swollen and inflamed gums
• Bone loss
• Implant failure

Signs of an implant infection include bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, red or puffy gums around the implant site, pain or discomfort, visible pus, bleeding, difficulty chewing, and/or fever. You may also notice that your artificial tooth is wobbly or loose.

If a dental implant becomes infected or otherwise fails, you’ll likely need costly additional surgeries and treatment therapies, all of which can be avoided by caring for dental implants the right way.

5 Steps to Proper Dental Implant Care

Your dentist will discuss how to take care of your dental implant both before and after your surgery. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect.

Step 1: Brush

Brush at least twice a day, positioning your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle against the gumline.

Step 2: Floss

Flossing will need to become a part of your everyday routine if it’s not already. More specifically, you’ll need to use floss threaders, a special kind of floss for reaching around the implant area.

Step 3: Rinsing

Rinse with a gentle mouthwash once a day to irrigate the area around the implant.

Step 4: Regular Dental Visits

You’ll want to visit with your dentist at least twice a year to ensure that your implant is in good condition.

Step 5: Avoid Smoking

Quit smoking if you haven’t already. Smoke damages the delicate tissues in the mouth and can weaken the gums and bones supporting your implant.

Have additional questions about dental implants? For more information or to schedule an appointment with our implant specialist Dr. Francine Misch-Dietsh, please contact us. We’re here to help, with innovative dental implant technology and locations in both Miami and Coral Gables so you can get what you need fast.