The History of Dentistry

Brushing and Flossing Tips for Your New Dental Implant

12 May 2016

Regina Carlson

The end result of dental implants can be nothing short of remarkable. It's a surgical procedure where the finished look should be indistinguishable from a natural tooth (or teeth), which is something that can not often be said for other elective cosmetic procedures. A metal screw is implanted into your jawbone and the tissue is left to heal. Once sufficient healing has taken place, a metal abutment is then fitted to the screw, and a prosthetic tooth is permanently mounted onto the screw. The prosthetic tooth has been made in a shape and colour to match the missing natural tooth, and then essentially only you and your dentist will know that the procedure has taken place. While the prosthetic tooth is not susceptible to decay as a natural tooth would be, there are still things you need to do to keep the surrounding gum tissue healthy, and this is particularly important in the weeks after the prosthetic tooth has been fitted. So what do you need to know?

Brushing Your Implant

A hard toothbrush can be too harsh on your natural dental enamel (the protective mineral coating that covers your teeth). While unlikely, a hard toothbrush can also result in microscopic scratches in your implanted prosthetic tooth. These scratches will not lead to any type of decay, and yet they can still cause issues for your remaining natural teeth. They leave small indentations where oral bacteria can pool, and this bacteria can affect your remaining natural teeth. Please only use a soft or medium-hardness toothbrush.

Flossing Around Your Implant

It's vital to keep the gum tissue around the implant strong and healthy. While the prosthetic tooth is only fitted once the screw section of the implant has fused to your jawbone, any kind of damage or infection to your gum tissue can result in the implant shifting or even becoming loose. If you've ever had bleeding gums after flossing, then you'll know how easy it can be to irritate your gums while practising this particular part of oral hygiene. You have a few options when it comes to flossing around your new dental implant.

• Nylon interdental brushes can be found in most pharmacies. These small brushes bear a strong resemblance to miniature toilet brushes, but this design allows them to be inserted between your teeth in order to dislodge debris. Ensure that you choose a nylon brush in order to minimise irritation to your gums.
• Implant floss differs from regular floss in that it comes with a threader that resembles a small noose. The floss is already positioned in the necessary loop, so you just need to slip this loop over the tooth, tighten as necessary, and then gently floss.
• A water-based flosser is another great option. It directs a concentrated jet of water between the gaps in your teeth, effectively removing food debris without affecting your gums.

A dental implant can be a considerable financial investment, so it's important to take good care of it. Visit Cambridge City Dental for more information.

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