Regular oral hygiene habits are vital to keeping your teeth healthy, but they are even more critical if you have dental implants. Dental implants can improve the look of your smile and provide stability for your dentures, bridges, or crowns. But, just like natural teeth, dental implants require regular care and maintenance to stay healthy and functional. Flossing around dental implants is one of the most critical actions that you can take to ensure a long life for these artificial teeth.
What Is Dental Implant Flossing?
Dental flossing is a critical part of oral hygiene for dental implants because it helps remove food particles and plaque that can accumulate in areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Dental implant flossing involves using an interdental brush or waxed floss string to clean between the gums and the implant abutment—the part of the implant where the artificial tooth attaches to the implant screw. Dental implant flossing should be done at least once daily, ideally after each meal or snack.
Benefits Of Dental Implant Flossing
Dental implant flossing offers many benefits for your oral health, including preventing gum disease, maintaining the integrity of your dental implant, and improving overall oral health.
Prevents Gum Disease
Flossing around dental implants is vital for preventing gum disease or periodontal disease from developing in the area around the implant. This gum disease can cause inflammation, pain, and bad breath—all of which can be avoided with regular flossing. Dental implant flossing also helps prevent more serious infections that could lead to bone loss around the implant.
Maintains Dental Implant Integrity
Flossing is also crucial for maintaining the integrity of your dental implant by removing plaque and tartar buildup that can corrode and damage it over time. Regular flossing will help keep your implant clean, ensuring it stays in good condition for years.
Improves Overall Oral Health
Flossing around dental implants is also beneficial for oral health by removing food particles and plaque buildup that can cause cavities and gum disease in other areas of your mouth. Flossing daily helps keep your teeth, gums, and entire mouth healthy and free from decay or infection.
Summary
Dental implants are a great way to restore the look of your smile while improving stability for dentures, bridges, or crowns. To keep these artificial teeth in top shape, regular flossing is essential to maintain their integrity and prevent infections or gum disease from developing in the area around them. Dental implant flossing is a simple yet effective way to protect your oral health and ensure that your implants stay healthy and functional for years to come.
You should floss around your dental implants at least once daily, ideally after each meal or snack.
When flossing around dental implants, you can use an interdental brush or waxed string floss.
Keeping your dental implants clean and healthy is essential, even if you don’t have natural teeth. Flossing around your implant will help prevent gum disease, maintain the integrity of your implant, and improve overall oral health.