Dental implants are the best way to replace lost teeth because they look, feel, and function just like natural pearly whites, and one of the major advantages they have over traditional restorations is they only require the same oral hygiene methods as your natural smile. However, flossing too aggressively can cause injuries and oral infections that can possibly reduce the lifespan of your implants. Here’s a brief guide to how you can safely floss after receiving dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jawbone and a lifelike restoration such as a crown, bridge, or denture mounted upon it. Thanks to titanium’s ability to fuse with bone structure through the natural process of osseointegration, this appliance can restore almost all a lost tooth’s chewing power and last up to a lifetime if it receives excellent care. However, improper or inadequate oral hygiene methods can lead to infections and injuries that can cause an implant to fail.
How Should I Floss with Dental Implants?
The titanium post of a dental implant acts in much the same manner as a natural tooth’s root. However, the process of placing a dental implant does not replace the tendons that helped hold natural tooth in place, and these bits of tissue play a key role in sending distress signals to your brain if you floss too hard. Therefore, it’s important to take special care when flossing your dental implants since it can be harder to notice injuries.
When you floss real or artificial teeth, cut about eighteen inches from the package and hold a few inches of the thread taut between your hands. Gently slide this section of floss between your teeth and work it up-and-down and side-to-side against either edge. When done, withdraw the floss, move on to a clean section, and begin treating the next pair of teeth. When flossing a dental implant, be especially careful to avoid moving the floss too deep against the root of the tooth, as you may injure the gum tissue supporting the device.
Hurting your gums defeats the purpose of flossing. By being gentle and thorough when cleaning your dental implants, you can keep your real and artificial teeth beautiful and infection-free for life.
About the Practice
Marvel Dental offers the best oral health services available in Midlothian, TX. Led by Drs. Jay Oza, Vishwam Patel, William Starck, and Anh Vo, the staff ensures that each patient receives outstanding courtesy and customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about proper implant care, contact the practice online or dial (682) 772-3072.