It is common knowledge that oral hygiene is important. It is even more so if you have dental implants. The last thing you want is an infection that could compromise the health of your new teeth! Many people believe that flossing with dental implants should be an integral part of your daily oral hygiene routine, while some experts disagree. Should you floss with dental implants, and if so, how can you do so effectively? Read on below to learn the answers.
Should You Floss with Dental Implants?
When it comes to flossing with dental implants, oral health professionals generally fall into one of the following camps:
Those in favor of flossing with implants focus on the fact that it can remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth. In turn, this can reduce the risk that a harmful infection will attack the tissue around your prosthetic teeth. You can also lower your risk of gum disease, enjoy fresher breath, and keep your entire smile looking as good as possible.
On the other hand, some dentists caution against flossing around implants. While they encourage patients to floss around their natural teeth, they do not believe that the same should be done for implants. One reason for this is that floss can shred, leaving behind small particles that can heighten the risk of infection and inflammation.
There is also the chance that if flossing is done without proper technique, it can break the seal around an implant (known as the peri-implant seal), whose purpose is to stop bacteria from attacking the jawbone. Also concerning is that fact that since the seal has no nerves, you may not even know what happened if you accidentally break it.
How to Floss with Dental Implants
If you decide to floss around your implants, be sure to do so with caution. Never snap the floss into your gums, and do not push it into the gumline like you might do with your natural teeth. Rather, bend the floss into a C shape, and then gently rub it along your restoration to get rid of plaque and bacterial buildup.
If you want detailed guidance on how to floss around your implants, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist. They can demonstrate proper technique. In some cases, they might recommend that you skip traditional string floss and use an alternative product instead.
Oral Irrigation Offers an Alternative
Instead of using string floss around your implants, it might be safer to use a water flosser, also called an oral irrigator or WaterPik. It uses a concentrated stream of water to clean between the teeth. It is quite gentle and is unlikely to harm the peri-implant seal.
For most people, flossing should be a daily task, but if you have dental implants, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and rewards of this habit. Your dentist can guide you in your quest to design the ideal oral hygiene routine for your unique situation.
Meet the Practice
Dr. James Kalina is an experienced general dentist in Mankato. If you have questions about dental implants or how to properly care for them, he and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact us at 507-625-2021.
