Spain is one of the European Union countries, together with Germany, France and Italy, where most dental implants are placed.
They are, therefore, a very common treatment because they offer an effective solution to the loss of a tooth.
If properly cared for, a dental prosthesis can last a lifetime.
Therefore, it is important to know how to clean dental implants and take care of their hygiene, not only to extend their useful life, but also to avoid possible oral problems.
Why use dental implants?
In the case of a missing tooth, dental implants provide multiple benefits for patients and are placed in a painless procedure thanks to anesthesia.
It should be emphasized that, although the lack of a tooth does not affect your daily life, it can compromise the rest of your mouth.
That is to say, you may be missing a molar and that, apparently, does not negatively affect your chewing.
However, this thinking is far from the truth.
An interproximal brush will more effectively remove food debris accumulated between the implant-supported crown and the rest of the teeth.
Apart from the esthetic deterioration that the smile may suffer, the gaps cause the rest of the teeth to shift.
In addition, the teeth do not distribute the chewing loads of the oral cavity correctly, causing tooth wear.
Therefore, do not procrastinate the placement of dental implants and go to a dental clinic as soon as possible in order to recover the full functionality of the mouth.
Oral hygiene with dental implants
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DENTAL HYGIENE
The importance of taking care of your implants
An implant works in exactly the same way as a natural tooth, in fact, once the patient has passed the post-operative recovery time and has healed correctly, he even forgets he is wearing it.
Although they are artificial prostheses, it is necessary to take care of the implant as if it were a real tooth.
The same applies to any other type of dental prosthesis you may have: all of them need specific care to ensure their esthetics and functionality.
Obviously, the implant cannot have cavities, but it is advisable to always keep in mind that it rests on the remaining tooth.
As technology in dentistry prospers, expert implantologists are increasingly using advanced techniques that facilitate implant placement, such as computer-guided surgery.
Thanks to these improvements, the success rate of the prostheses is very high – 97.5% – so it is a treatment that should not cause problems if the patient follows the proper care and instructions of your dentist.
To avoid complications, it is advisable to maintain a careful oral hygiene, taking special care with the artificial crown.
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How should dental implants be cleaned?
Now that you know the importance of taking care of your implants, let’s focus on the most advisable technique to keep them clean.
It is possible that people with prostheses notice how food debris tends to accumulate more easily between the crowns on implants.
The reason for this is that, after the loss of the original tooth, the gum tends to contract and a small concavity remains between the crown and the periodontal tissue.
This is why knowing how to clean dental implants is so important.
Our dental hygienist explains how to use dental floss
It is essential to brush this area thoroughly and ensure the removal of all food debris.
To do this, there are specific tools that will help us to maintain hygiene in the oral cavity much better than if we just use dental floss and mouthwash.
Interproximal brushes
Interproximal brushes, also called interdental brushes, are much smaller than conventional brushes and are an ideal complement for oral hygiene.
Interdental brush
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INTERPROXIMAL BRUSH
Its cylindrical brush head removes plaque and food debris accumulated between the teeth.
In addition, depending on the interdental space of our teeth, we can choose a brush of different sizes.
Oral irrigator
Another of the auxiliary oral cleaning elements is the oral irrigator, a hygiene instrument that has a pressurized water system to wash the mouth.
It is particularly useful for effectively removing food debris in hard-to-reach areas, such as periodontal pockets, but also for cleaning the gum line and leaving it free of bacteria.
The water pressure coming out of the irrigator can be easily regulated and there are a multitude of commercial brands available to the patient, although the most popular is Waterpik.
Due to its characteristics and ease of use, it is very beneficial for anyone who wants to maximize their dental hygiene.
But, in particular, it is especially useful for people who have dental implants or periodontal problems.
Cleaning implants with Waterpik
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DENTAL IRRIGATOR
Consequences of poor dental hygiene for your implants
As we have already mentioned, implants do not have to present problems if the patient follows the instructions of the implantologist and takes care of his hygiene and habits.
However, the person with implants may suffer a series of inconveniences that are directly related to their habits and lifestyle.
Bacterial plaque and dental tartar
Incorrect or insufficient oral hygiene has very negative consequences for oral health in general and for implants in particular.
As a consequence, the prosthesis accumulates tartar and bacteria that can lead to the development of periodontal diseases.
Peri-implant diseases
Mucositis and peri-implantitis are pathologies that affect the mucosa and the bone supporting an implant.
They can be equivalent to periodontal diseases: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Mucositis involves inflammation of the tissues around the implant, i.e. the gingiva, and in its initial stages it may be reversible.
In more advanced cases, this disease becomes peri-implantitis, which can lead to treatment failure, since it damages the dental bone.
Dental prophylaxis, together with good lifestyle habits and visits to the specialist, prevent the development of peri-implant diseases.
Brushing technique
If you have any doubts about how dental implants should be cleaned, consult your dentist.
Rejection of an implant
Contrary to widespread belief, the rejection of a dental implant is not caused by an incompatibility in the organism.
It is actually a consequence of an incorrect healing of the gum and, although it is not always possible to avoid it, you can follow some advice to avoid complications:
Maintain an adequate oral hygiene.
Avoid bad habits, such as smoking.
Go to the check-ups agreed with the dentist.
On the other hand, there are complications that are not directly related to oral hygiene.
We are talking about the mechanical problems that implants may present, and there are mainly two of them:
Loosening of screws: it is possible that the screw that joins the crown and the implant loses strength. In this case, it is necessary to go to a dental clinic so that the dentist can retighten it.
Fracture of the crown: although it is rare, the prosthesis can break in case of a strong traumatism or if the patient suffers from bruxism.
In conclusion, a correct oral hygiene routine will help you to keep your implants intact for much longer and will also contribute to the prevention of any other oral pathology.
