When it comes to replacement teeth, dental implants are one of the best options. After just a few dental visits, they can restore your smile’s looks and function alike! Still, implants need regular care to last a long time; otherwise, they’ll fail early. It’s crucial, then, that you remember to floss them daily with the proper method. As for how to do so, your local dental practice can help. Read on to learn four essential steps when flossing dental implants in Phoenix.
Why Should You Floss Your Implants?
Though they’re artificial, dental implants need regular care. If the teeth and gums near them get infected, they’ll likely fail earlier than expected. Given that implants can last twenty or even thirty years, this situation would make your treatment less cost-effective.
Furthermore, your toothbrush alone isn’t enough for this care. It can’t reach all the areas of your mouth, leaving bits of plaque on your implants. Should that happen, you could get peri-implantitis, an infection that causes your replacement tooth (or teeth) to fail.
Flossing your dental implants, however, can prevent this infection. Unlike a toothbrush, dental floss can clean those hard-to-reach places in your mouth. As such, flossing fights against plaque and oral bacteria that could cause implant failure.
The Proper Steps for Flossing Implants
Since implants are false teeth, you must floss them a certain way. For that reason, use the steps below when flossing them in the future:
- Thread the Dental Floss — You’ll need to thread the thin string between your dental implants and gums. To make that process easier, consider using a floss threader. This device features a loop at one end and a stiff, flat edge at the other.
- Slide the Floss Up & Down — While holding the floss around your fingers in each hand, slide it up and down the sides of your implant.
- Try an Oral Irrigator — If threading and sliding the floss is too difficult, try an oral irrigator instead. The tool emits a pressured water spray to loosen food particles and plaque.
- Exercise Caution — Whatever you do, don’t push your floss into the gum pocket. Doing so might break the peri-implant seal that attaches your gums to your replacement tooth. If the seal does break, bacteria could get into exposed areas, damaging your bone and undoing the implant’s fusion.
Dental implants are great smile restorations, but they work best when you care for them with flossing. Therefore, remember the steps above to keep your new teeth for many years.
About the Practice
Bell Road Dental Care is based in Phoenix, AZ. As led by Dr. Jafari, our practice strives to give patients the quality dental care they deserve. That said, we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency smile treatments. Whether you need a dental checkup and cleaning or a dental implant, Bell Road has you covered! For more information or to book an appointment, reach them at their website or by phone at (602)-404-3483.