Dental implants are a great replacement for missing teeth because they look and feel just like natural teeth. But implants do have some differences that require extra care and unique attention compared to your natural teeth. Your brushing and flossing routine may not be the best way to take care of your dental implants in Carlisle. It is important that you keep your surrounding gum tissue and bone healthy for the effectiveness of the implants. Keep reading to learn why you shouldn’t floss around your dental implants from a trusted dentist.
What is a Dental Implant?
Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots that are placed in the jaw. These titanium posts are sturdy supports for your dental restorations (false teeth). They are the only tooth replacement option that makes your false tooth look like it emerges from your gums naturally. Dental implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care, which is why you should know these top reasons for why you shouldn’t use floss on your dental implants:
#1: Floss Can Shred
Floss shreds sometimes even when using it with natural teeth. The problem is that dental implants are titanium, so it can actually cause the floss to shred even more than normal. Left behind floss particles can lead to disease and infection, so it’s important that you avoid flossing around your implants.
#2: The Technique Matters
In some cases, your dentist may recommend flossing around the implant, but this should always be accompanied by a live demonstration to ensure that you don’t damage your gums or the implant. The tissue surrounding dental implants don’t have the same strength as the tissue around your natural teeth, so aggressive flossing can easily cause damage.
#3: Home-Care Recommendations Should Be Customized
Floss is a great tool because it can remove food debris, plaque, and bacteria from the tight space in between your teeth and gums. If you have dental implants, that tight space may be a different size, shape, or depth depending on where it is and how healthy your gums are. That’s why home care for dental implants need to be customized to make sure patients are using the right tools for their size and shape of space.
Your dentist may recommend interdental brushes, a new standard of care, to keep the spaces in between your implants free of debris and plaque. For complex cases or if you have dexterity problems, your implant dentist in Carlisle may recommend oral irrigation—a hydro floss that uses water to clean in between your implants.
Now that you know some of the perils that come with flossing dental implants, use the above tips to clean your implants without doing any damage to your oral health!
Meet the Dentist
A graduate with his DMD degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Thomas Neslund brings highly-trained care to each of his patients. He likes offering highly beneficial dental implants at his practice, which is why he wants to pass along proper care tips. He currently practices at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, and he can be contacted through his website or by phone at (717) 258-5455 for any questions.