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Cleaning Your Dental Implants |
 Dental implants have provided us with a revolutionary treatment for the replacement of missing teeth. Implants involve the surgical implantation of small titanium rods in your jaw. Once implanted, your bone begins to fuse to the posts, integrating them gradually into the jaw and turning them into strong, stable roots that are then used to secure the ceramic crowns that act as your replacement teeth. This treatment offers numerous benefits over traditional treatments. One of the major benefits of implants is that they are much easier to maintain than dentures. While easier to care for, they still do require proper maintenance. At Hillsboro Dental Center, we can help.
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The Importance of Clean Implants
Your dental implants may be false teeth, but this does not mean that they do not require care. While the ceramic crowns cannot develop decay and cavities, but they are still able to collect plaque and bacteria. If these substances are left to accumulate on your teeth, both real and false, your risk of developing gum disease greatly increases. If gum disease does occur, it can cause serious issues, even if all of your teeth have been replaced by dental implants. As gum disease advances, your gums begin to swell and pull away from the teeth. Bacteria fall below the gum line, where they can begin attacking your jawbone. When this happens, your jawbone begins to weaken. As a result, the stability of your implants becomes compromised. Your implants can become loose, and they may even fail altogether.
Implant Care at Home
Whether you have one tooth replaced with a dental implant or all of your teeth have been replaced, taking care of these implants is crucial. This care starts at home. Dental implants can be cleaned just like your natural teeth. Brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Brush for at least two minutes each time, using gentle circular motions, and cover all surfaces of your teeth and implants. You should also floss your teeth and implants at least once a day. Work the floss gently between your teeth and move it up and down the sides of each tooth. Take care to not snap the floss against your gums and do not forget to floss behind the very back teeth.
Professional Care for Your Implants
In addition to taking care of your implants at home, it is also important that you maintain regular dental visits. Even if all of your teeth have been replaced, it is still important that you have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined at least twice a year. Cleanings are designed to help remove all buildup from all surfaces of your teeth, including the ones that you might miss. With exams, we can check the condition of your teeth and your implants, checking for signs of damage. We also inspect your gums for signs of gum disease. We can detect problems in their earliest stages, enabling us to provide you with the treatments you need to restore your oral health and prevent complications with your implants.
Taking proper care of your implants, and the rest of your mouth is essential for ensuring not just your oral health, but the strength and integrity of your implants as well. If you have any questions about taking care of your implants, call Hillsboro Dental Center at (503) 648-2829 today.
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Hillsboro Dental Center
Dr. John T. Roberts and Dr. Cheryl Hansen
Partnering with Dr. Philip Cronin
4440 NE Cornell Rd.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-648-3125
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