December 14, 2017

One of the reasons patients choose dental implants is that they look and function like natural teeth. Caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth, too, with some minor variations. Dr. Shahram Moghaddam, a professional dentist from Comfort Dental, is an expert on dental implants in Watertown, MA. He and his staff can help you understand how to care for your implants.

Toothpaste Ingredients

Proper care is essential to maintaining healthy implants and protecting your investment. Use a low-abrasive toothpaste to prevent scratching exposed surfaces of the implant, such as the threads. Avoid cleaners with sodium fluoride or stannous fluoride, stain removers or baking soda, as well as smoker’s toothpaste.

With the right mouth conditions, toothpaste and cleaners high in sodium fluoride can erode the implant’s oxide layer, making it more susceptible to corrosion. This type of fluoride can also cause roughness and etching on the implants.

Toothbrush Options

You can use sonic, electric or manual toothbrushes as long as they have soft bristles. For areas that are tough to reach, use interdental brushes with nylon coating to help prevent scratching. Maintain a twice-a-day brushing and flossing schedule. Your dentist may also recommend mouth rinses and oral irrigators, or water flosses to help reduce plaque.

How to Floss

You have plenty of options in dental floss to provide a good cleaning while also protecting delicate tissue around the dental implant. Use unwaxed floss or a type made specifically for your implant. If you have prostheses with a bar retainer, a full, fixed retainer or wide interproximal spaces, use a floss threader or special floss with a built-in threader. Wrap the floss around the individual teeth, cross it in front, then pull it from hand to hand.

Proper care of implants is critical to ensuring their success. Dr. Moghaddam and his staff will make sure you are comfortable with cleaning methods as part of the implant process. Learn more about implants and caring for them by calling our office.

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