Whether you’ve had dental implants for years or are just beginning your dental implant journey, your most trusted dental implant specialist of Dallas and Fort Worth is ARCHPOINT. Our years of experience have provided our patients with the highest quality implant dentistry available. Not only does ARCHPOINT stand behind their work, but they also take the time to insure you fully understand how to care for your dental implants.
Importance of Caring for Dental Implants
Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants need to be cleaned every day to prevent the buildup of harmful plaque and bacteria. While dental implants are resistant to decay, periodontal disease is still a possibility if good home care is not practiced. Periodontal disease, or peri-implantitis rather, is an infection of the gum tissue that destroys the bone that supports teeth and dental implants. The number one cause of implant failure is periodontal infection but it is easily avoidable with daily brushing and flossing.
While brushing and flossing are the standards for keeping your mouth in tip-top shape, there are many other useful tools your dental professional may suggest. Two of the most commonly recommended dental tools to keep your mouth clean are the electric toothbrush and the water flosser.
Electric Toothbrushes
If you have ever walked down the toothbrush aisle of your neighborhood grocery store, you have probably seen the wide variety of electric toothbrushes available. This is because studies have proven that brushing with an electric toothbrush is more effective than using a manual toothbrush alone. This not only applies to natural teeth but to dental implants as well.
Electric toothbrushes are able to clean teeth more effectively because they provide hundreds to thousands of more brush strokes each time you use them. They are typically made with soft bristles that are gentle to the gum tissue and most have a two-minute timer to insure you are brushing long enough. With all the different electric toothbrush options available, deciding on which one to purchase can be difficult, however, the experts of ARCHPOINT can recommend which electric toothbrush will work best for your unique needs.
Different Types of Electric Toothbrushes on the Market
There are two main types of electric toothbrushes, sonic and oscillating. Both are very effective options to clean natural teeth and dental implants. This difference is in how the head of the toothbrush moves.
Sonic electric toothbrushes are shaped similarly to manual toothbrushes and use tiny sonic vibrations against the teeth. Each movement of the bristles simulates the action of one stroke of a manual toothbrush. When brushing with a manual toothbrush, you can expect about 300 strokes per minute. The fast sonic vibrations are equal to about 30,000 brushes per minute, making it great for cleaning around dental implants and even below the gum line.
Oscillating electric toothbrushes are also a great way to effectively clean teeth, dental implants, and gingival tissue. These toothbrush heads are typically round in shape and utilize a rotating movement, similar to a dental polishing tool used in the office. The soft bristles gently clean around the teeth and the gum line in a circular pattern at a rate of 2,500 to 7,500 strokes per minute.
Simply position your toothbrush on the implant and allow it to do the work for you. For best results, tilt the bristles toward the gum tissues. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day, cleaning all of the outside and inside surfaces as well as the chewing surfaces of your implant restorations.
Caring for your electric toothbrush is similar to that of a manual toothbrush. To minimize the accumulation of bacteria, store your electric toothbrush upright in an open space to allow the bristles to completely dry. Electric toothbrush heads are typically easily removed and should be replaced every three months.
Water Flossers
Water flossers are a wonderful addition to using string floss. With its use of a pulsating stream of water, it effectively cleans around teeth and dental implants, including where dental floss cannot reach. Water flossers are highly recommended to aid in the cleaning of implant supported bridges and All-On-4 implants, since they are permanently fixed into the mouth.
Water flossers are not just limited to cleaning the mouth with water. You can also use mouthwash or a chlorohexidine mixture in your water flosser for an even more effective way to kill harmful bacteria.
Simply trace the margins of your teeth and dental implants, allowing the water to flush under the gums and any fixed dental work (like bridges or All-on-4 implants.) Be sure to pause between each tooth to clean those spaces as well. For best results, use your water flosser at least once daily.
Types of Water Flossers
There are many different types of water flossers on the market today and each is a great product depending on your needs. The most common type of water flosser is the countertop version. This version typically plugs into the wall and stays on your bathroom counter. The large water reservoir holds plenty of water for effective cleaning and it is very easily cleaned and refilled.
Handheld water flossers are about the same size as a manual toothbrush, making them easy to hold because there is no hose or electrical cord. It has a large handle that holds water and runs on a battery. With the small water reservoir, you may need to refill it during use, but it can be packed easily for travel and can be used in the shower.
Another water flosser version attaches to a bathroom faucet or showerhead. This version is great since there is nothing to refill or clean.
Depending on which type of water flosser you use, care for your water flosser is fairly simple. You should clean your water reservoir with soapy water frequently and flush water lines to prevent the build-up of bacteria or mold.
Contact ARCHPOINT Today to Learn More!
If you would like to learn more or are interested in beginning your journey with dental implants, contact ARPCHOINT today. Our conveniently located Dallas and Fort Worth offices are happy to help you discover the best replacement for your missing teeth. Our dental implant specialists work closely to provide you with personalized care to meet your unique needs. Whether you are missing a single tooth or an entire mouthful, let ARCHPOINT be your trusted implant specialist.
