Dental Implants are artificial tooth root like structure place beneath the gums in the jaw bone allowing to have not only a beautiful and natural smile but boost confidence and self-esteem. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper oral care so, implants need to be clean daily and regular dental checkups to be done. Moreover, patients with dental implants should know the basic rules to maintain them for years to come.
Maintenance of dental implants are crucial for prolonging their lifespan and functionality but failing to maintain and care properly can increase the risk of failures. The main causes of dental implant failure are: chronic smokers, periodontitis, bruxism and periimplantitis due to the plaque and bacterial accumulation. Cessation or limited smoking, use of night guard to control bruxism, etc are few precautions to be taken into account. So, clean the dental implants regularly to minimize the risk and maintain a radiance, healthy and a beautiful smile for lifetime.
Hygiene And Dental Implants
The oral hygiene around dental implants are very similar to that of the natural teeth. The following are few basic rules to be kept in mind –
- The crowns must be properly fitted to the implants without any gap and radiographs to be taken to cross check them
- There should be no cement traces around or under the gums if the crowns are cemented
- The crown should be design in such a way that there is sufficient space present so that interdental brush can pass between the teeth and the denture
For all the above reasons it is essential to collaborate with high standard and experienced dental professionals and technicians that follow a strict guidelines and protocols that will help in naturally contouring of the teeth and the dental prosthesis.
Cleaning Products
Toothbrush
Use a soft bristles toothbrush to remove food debris and plaque accumulation as they will prevent gum damage or bleeding of the gums. However, according to some studies, electric toothbrush works more effectively than manual toothbrushes due to greater number of strokes generated than the human hand but regardless of the types of toothbrushes used, select only soft bristles toothbrush and brush twice daily for good oral care.
Water Flosser
A dental flosser or water flosser is an oral irrigator that remove plaque and bacterial accumulation as deep as 6 mm. They are design and attached with rubber-tip stimulators and other attachments to effectively clean difficult to access areas. Besides, many dental professionals recommend water flossers over dental floss due to their ease of use and precise cleaning.
Crown And Bridge Floss
Crowns and Bridge floss is specially designed to use around dental implants. It has two stiff nylon ends and a fuzzy middle which will clean the implant surface and the stiff ends to insert between implants. The ideal time to use this floss is after brushing while the toothpaste residue is still present in the mouth as this will prevent the bacterial growth around the implants.
Rubber-Tip Stimulator
Most water flosser come with rubber-tip stimulators that can gently remove food particles that are trapped between the bridge and gum line. Use water flosser at least once a day to remove the food debris and bacterial accumulation and on medium or low settings as the high setting may separate the tissue from the dental implant in some cases.
Sulcus Brush
The Sulcus brush is a specialized brush for cleaning and removing food debris and plaque from the gums and below the gumline into the sulcus. It is one-third the size of a regular toothbrush and make dental implants and denture care more easier and effectively.
Sometimes, the cleaning products also depend on the type of prosthesis worn –
For a single crown: they can be clean like the rest of the natural teeth using soft bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush and with interdental brush.
Dental Bridges: can be cleaned using dental floss as floss eliminate the plaque and bacterial accumulation that remain under the pontic.
Hybrid prosthesis: they can be clean using a specific brush to clean between the prosthesis and the gum and an oral irrigator for prostheses where it is very difficult to clean or require little manipulations.
Cleaning Of Overdentures
Clean Daily
Clean the overdenture once daily with a denture brush as it will help in removing the bacteria and food built up in the denture throughout the day. The denture brush has two end or bristle: a soft-bristled flat head for smooth surfaces and a tapered bristles for hard to access regions. Use only non-abrasive cleaning agents specifically design for cleaning denture to prevent the overdenture from possible scratches which may result in dull finish.
Soak Overnight
Soak the denture overnight in a cleaning solution especially design for denture daily before going to bed as it cleanses and help retain the shape. Besides, it improves the functionality and increases the lifespan of the dentures.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse the denture thoroughly with water after the removal from the cleaning solution and before placing into the mouth. This restrain the food and bacterial accumulation in the dentures and also reduces burning sensation, vomiting, etc due to the cleaning solution.
Check Regularly
Check the dentures properly and regularly and keep them in good condition. In doubt, consult the dental professional immediately.
Additional guidelines for long lasting Dental Implants
Without proper routine and oral care dental implants and supporting structures are prone to dental caries, infections, gums and periodontal diseases. Moreover, deep cleaning of dental implant regularly is necessary for prolong lifespan. Below are few tips for prolonging the life of dental implants.
Regular dental visits and follow ups
Regular dental checkups and follow ups are require to check the status of the implants and overdentures and to rule out any problems arises in the oral cavity.
Abrasive cleaning products
Avoid use of cleaning products containing strong abrasive, strong cleansers and hard bristled toothbrush and they are few examples of abrasive cleaning products that permanently damage the teeth and dentures. Besides, chloride based cleansers can discolor and corrode the metal parts of the dentures and implants.
Avoid bleaching agents
Avoid using any bleaching agent that can discolor and weaken the implants and dentures.
Avoid hot water
Soaking of dentures in hot water can change the shape of the denture.
Avoid chewing hard materials
Avoid chewing of pen, Ice cubes, hard candies, etc that can break the crowns or dentures.
Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism is excessive grinding of the teeth with more pressure which can lead to damage or broken teeth and dentures.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking weaken the immune system, cause gums and periodontal diseases, stains teeth and dentures. So, limit the habit or stop smoking or take necessary interventions and counselling for cessation of smoking.
So, for a long lasting implants and a beautiful smile maintain good oral health by properly caring and cleaning the teeth and the dentures.
