If you have implants, you know that they look and feel like natural teeth. Typically, you clean them just like your teeth too. Although we recommend brushing and flossing your implants, the method of flossing and choice of floss or floss alternatives is important for implant maintenance.
Here are a few tips when it comes to flossing so that you can keep your implants and surrounding tissues healthy:
Implant Flossing Method:
Although your implants cannot decay, they can harbor harmful bacteria that can cause gum disease that can lead to peri-implant disease. That’s why cleaning your implants is important. Keep in mind also that the adjacent teeth can decay, which is another reason why flossing between your implants and natural teeth is important.
For your natural teeth, your dental hygienist may have taught you a shoeshine technique for flossing. However, you do not want to use that technique with your implants because while the roots of your teeth are smooth, implants are made with titanium, which can thread your floss if you use that method.
When you use floss, you want to be sure that you are not too aggressive because pushing floss too hard can push debris further under your gums and can damage the delicate tissues around your implant.
Implant Flossing Choice:
Because the flossing technique is so important, you will want to choose the right floss that will allow you to gently floss and not shred. You can also find floss that is specifically made for dental implants such as super floss and implant flossers.
Although floss holders are popular for natural teeth, they are not recommended for implants because they can snap down forcefully on the tissues that support your implant.
Many times, alternatives to traditional string floss are more ideal for implant care. Tools such as interdental brushes and water flossers can be easier to use and more effective to clean around implants.
*With guidance from your oral surgeon and surgical staff, you can learn a gentle and safe method of flossing and learn about floss alternatives that are best for you to effectively clean around your implants.*
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