Did you know that an implant needs care?

A dental implant (implant) is a titanium-based rod with a diameter of 3-5 mm, which is installed in the bone tissue in place of a lost tooth. Dental implantation is a great way to save neighboring teeth (without the need to use removable structures, which include clasp structures, dentures), as well as to fully restore chewing function and improve the quality of your life. Unlike real teeth, a modern dental implant is stronger, more durable, and more reliable. If an implant is installed by an experienced dentist, taking into account all the rules and regulations, then it can easily replace a real tooth, not only functionally, but also aesthetically.

Careful care of dental implants is the key to its successful engraftment, as well as maintaining the teeth, gums and oral cavity in a healthy state. Maintaining a clean oral cavity after the implantation procedure is not the most difficult task. However, many patients who plan to install implants do not even suspect that they need constant care (fortunately, after the procedure, experienced dentists give instructions on care procedures).

Top tips for caring for dental implants

So, what steps should be taken to maximize the life of dental implants?

To ensure a successful implant healing process, a high level of hygiene must be taken care of.
Do not forget about preventive examinations. Such visits to the doctor are necessary for examination and professional cleaning of implants, teeth and gums. In particular, care should be taken to clean areas that patients do not have access to at home.
Quitting smoking (due to this bad habit, complications can occur).

How to care for implants at home?

A high-quality implant can serve you throughout your life, it is only important to ensure proper care for it. Any professional dentist will advise you to remove plaque daily, as well as the following procedures:

Cleaning with a toothbrush and special paste

Чистка при помощи зубной щетки и специальной пасты

Cleaning with dental floss (floss) or brush

Use of mouthwash

Use of the irrigator

Features of cleaning implants with a toothbrush:

The procedure for removing plaque from implants should be carried out at least 2 times a day. In the process of cleaning, it is recommended to do it carefully, not missing the interdental space, and also paying attention to the inner sides of the teeth.
Movements with a toothbrush when cleaning implants must be performed in the same way as in relation to your own teeth (from bottom to top on the lower jaw and from top to bottom on the upper jaw). Cleaning of gums is carried out by massage circular movements.
Effective cleaning of the interdental space is carried out using an electric brush, as such devices do an excellent job with hard-to-reach places.

Features of cleaning with floss (dental floss):

This procedure is mandatory. It is worth knowing that dental floss is round and flat. Flat floss is ideal for brushing teeth with very narrow gaps.
It is necessary to thread the dental floss between the teeth with the help of careful movements (cleansing the teeth from plaque and food debris). Next, the dental floss must be pulled through the inside of the tooth and, with the help of translational movements, clean the lingual part of the neck of the tooth crown.
In a situation with large gaps, dental floss is often not enough and in such situations special brushes (toothbrush) are used.

Which solution to choose for rinsing the mouth?

After brushing your teeth with a brush and floss, you should also rinse your mouth well with a special tool. There are different brands and types of rinses, but which rinse is suitable, only your doctor can advise you.

Use of irrigators

The gaps between the teeth can be perfectly cleaned using an irrigation system (pressure of a water jet, which does an excellent job of cleaning hard-to-reach places). It is used not only to clean the oral cavity, but also to massage the gums, which improves blood circulation and relieves tissue inflammation. Thanks to the constant use of this system, the health of teeth and gums will certainly improve.

When using an irrigation system, it is important to understand that it cannot act as a substitute for traditional toothbrushing. This is just an addition, albeit quite effective.

Why do dentists recommend paying attention to professional hygiene for patients with implants?

Hygiene is a very important point. It allows you to extend the life of the implants. However, even if you provide your teeth with the highest quality hygiene, the help of a professional hygienist will always come in handy. This is not even about tartar located on the crown part of the teeth. The most serious threat is the stone that hides under the gum. This is a potential risk of injury to the ligaments that hold teeth or implants in bone.

If you do not pay attention to professional hygiene, then such disregard for the advice of dentists can lead to the accumulation of deposits around the implant, resulting in inflammatory and destructive changes in the bone and gums. Due to such problems, patients quickly lose their implants. Remember that no matter how well you conduct self-hygiene, only a doctor can clean hard-to-reach places.