Dental implants can give people who are missing teeth a completely new lease on life. They can provide a renewed confidence when eating, smiling, or doing anything else that makes use of your teeth. They also prevent the bone loss that is often associated with wearing dentures or bridges.
Dental implants are secured to the jaw, meaning that you can care for them fairly easily along with the rest of your teeth. That said, you’ll need to use a little bit of care when you floss them. Here’s a guide to the proper way to floss a dental implant.
Why Do You Need to Be Careful When Flossing Dental Implants?
Your natural teeth are connected to your gums and jaw via a small bit of tissue known as the periodontal ligament. These ligaments can stretch, which gives natural teeth both flexibility and stability.
Dental implants aren’t connected via this ligament, but instead by an artificial barrier known as the peri-implant seal. This seal not only secures the implant to the gums, but prevents bacteria and other contaminants from seeping below the gumline.
This seal is more fragile than the periodontal ligament, and it can be broken if you accidentally push dental floss into the gum pocket. It’s therefore necessary to be careful when you floss around your dental implant.
How to Floss Your Dental Implant
To avoid breaking the peri-implant seal, you should be careful not to push the dental floss below the gum ridge. Otherwise you can floss as normal, so long as you’re cautious.
If you struggle to do this reliably, you might want to try using a floss threader. These look like large plastic sewing needles, allowing you so more precisely move the floss between the teeth. There are also alternatives to dental floss, like interdental brushes, that can be a little simpler and less risky for cleaning around a dental implant.
This may be a little bit of adjustment, but you can expect your dental implants to last for over 20 years if you maintain them properly! That means you have plenty of time to become an expert in dental implant care.
About Our Practice
At Crossroads Family Dentistry, our primary motivation is making sure that your visits to the dentist are completely stress-free! Our team can provide you with any style of dental care you could need under one roof, from check-ups to dental implants. We also have flexible payment options, ensuring that money never has to stand between you and the care you need.
If you have any questions about caring for your dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (434) 841-1704.