BLOG How to clean your dental implants?

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS?

The loss of teeth is no longer a problem. More and more patients undergo implantology treatment that allows them to recover not only a natural smile, but also, in many cases, their self-esteem. However, if dental hygiene is fundamental in general terms, those patients with dental implants must know how to proceed in order to maintain them for many years.

How to clean dental implants to prevent problems?

As you may already know, a dental implant is a titanium screw that together with a crown replaces a tooth that has been lost. In order for this treatment to last as long as possible, it is important to maintain good hygiene, just as you must do with your teeth.

The main causes of "rejection" of dental implants (correctly known as failure) are: smoking, bruxism and peri-implantitis due to accumulation of bacteria around the implants. If the use of tobacco is limited or (no smoking), bruxism is controlled with a relaxation splint. If the implants are cleaned daily and periodically checked by the dentist, Implantology is a safe treatment with good results in the medium and long term.

Is hygiene in dental implants different from the rest?

In principle, hygiene around implants should be simple and very similar to that of the teeth. There is a fundamental factor to avoid accumulation of bacteria around the implants and it is that the prosthesis (crowns and bridges) are well adjusted and adapted to the implant, the adjacent teeth and the gums, for which it must meet certain requirements:

The crowns must fit perfectly with the implant, without gaps. In order to verify this fit, verification radiographs are taken.
If the crowns are cemented, there should be no cement residue under the gingiva.
The dental technician must design enough space between the teeth for an interdental brush to pass through.
The contact points between teeth and crowns must not allow food debris to pass through, which then packs in the gingiva and is very annoying.

For these reasons it is essential to work with dental technicians and dental laboratories with high quality standards such as Nakeji Dental and that follow the guidelines and requirements of the dentist to avoid food debris and bacteria around the implants. They must naturally reproduce the contours of the teeth and the prostheses must be easy for patients to clean.

Are specific hygiene products required?

The cleaning instruments will depend on each case and on the type of prosthesis worn by the patient, in general terms:

If they are single crowns: they should be cleaned in the same way as the rest of the teeth, with a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush and then floss or an interdental brush.
If we have dental bridges, we recommend using dental floss or dental floss to eliminate the bacteria that remain under the pontic.
When there are full-arch hybrid prostheses, screw-retained prostheses or implants, there are specific brushes on the market to clean between the prosthesis and the gum. Sometimes the irrigator can be useful in prostheses that are more difficult to clean, in cases where patients have little manual dexterity.

Is the use of medication necessary?

Mechanical plaque removal by brushing, flossing and interdental brushing is usually sufficient to control peri-implant health, but sometimes the dentist may prescribe an antiseptic rinse if there is inflammation or bleeding in the gum. As you can imagine, regular check-ups are essential to keep your dental health up to date, especially if you are a dental implant patient.

In Nakeji Dental, we have specialists who will provide the necessary guidance for the care of your dental implants, if your desire is to improve your smile, do not forget to contact us, we want to make you smile.