If you have dental implants, you likely know that oral hygiene is absolutely essential for preventing infections around your new teeth. You may find it easy to brush your prosthetics, but flossing may be more of a challenge. This blog post discusses the pros and cons of flossing dental implants in Lebanon, and it provides tips on how you can clean around them while posing minimal risk to your oral health.
Should You Floss with Dental Implants?
There are some mixed opinions about whether floss should be used around dental implants. On the one hand, it can remove plaque from your mouth and play an important role in preventing gum disease.
On the other hand, some experts recommend against flossing around implants. There is evidence to suggest that floss can shred, leaving behind small particles that increase the risk of infection and inflammation.
There is even a chance that, if used with improper technique, the floss could break the delicate seal around an implant (called the peri-implant seal) that prevents bacteria from attacking your jawbone. Even worse, the seal has no nerves, so you will not feel any pain or other warning signs if you accidentally break it.
How to Floss with Dental Implants
If you choose to floss around dental implants, you should do so with extreme caution. Never “snap” the floss into your gums, and do not push it into the gumline like you would around normal teeth. Instead, use the floss to create a “C” shape around your implant, then gently rub it along the sides of your restoration to remove plaque and bacterial buildup.
If you would like a demonstration on how to floss your implants, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for help. They will be happy to coach you on all things related to your oral hygiene. They might even suggest that you start using an alternative to traditional string floss.
Oral Irrigation Offers an Alternative
An oral irrigator, also called a water flosser, may be a better option than floss for many people. It uses a stream of water to clean between the teeth, and it effectively remove a large amount of debris and bacteria. It is quite gentle, so it is unlikely to interfere with the peri-implant seal.
There are a number of different oral irrigators on the market. Some have adjustable water pressure, and a few even allow users to control the temperature of the water that you use. Your dental team may be able to recommend a specific product that they believe is effective for cleaning around dental implants.
Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene, but it is not always wise for individuals with dental implants. Ask your dental team for personalized guidance on how to maintain a clean and healthy mouth.
Meet the Practice
The dentists at Santavicca Dental Professionals are proud to offer dental implant placement, restoration, and maintenance. If you have questions about how to care for your prosthetic teeth, they would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 603-215-7108.