How Do I Care for a Single Implant?
Taking care of your dental implant is essential for its long-term success. Here is what you need to do.
Caring for a dental implant is similar to caring for your natural teeth β but there are a few important differences.
- Daily care:
- Brush twice a day β use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
- Floss daily β use floss designed for implants (some floss is thicker and works better around implants) or use an interdental brush
- Use a water flosser β very effective for cleaning around implants, especially under the crown
- Avoid abrasive products β do not use baking soda, whitening toothpaste, or hard-bristled brushes around the implant
- What to watch for:
- Gum inflammation β red, swollen, or bleeding gums around the implant could be a sign of peri-implantitis (gum disease around the implant)
- Looseness β if the crown feels loose, see your dentist right away
- Pain when chewing β could indicate a problem with the implant or crown
- Professional care:
- See your dentist every 6 months for checkups
- Your dentist will check the implant, abutment, and crown for any issues
- Professional cleanings may require special instruments to avoid scratching the implant surface
Things to Avoid
- Do not chew ice, hard candy, or other hard objects on the implant
- If you grind your teeth at night, wear a night guard
- Quit smoking β smoking significantly increases the risk of implant complications