If you have dental implants or know someone who does, in this article we give you some key tips to take care of them.
Oral hygiene is essential to prevent the risk of oral diseases such as cavities, gingivitis or periodontitis. In the case of patients with implants, hygiene plays a determining role in the success of long-term treatment. The gum of the implants is not usually as strong as in the teeth, so it must be prevented from suffering inflammation processes due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque.
1. The importance of brushing
First and foremost, brush your teeth after every meal. But how and with what?
The use of medium-hard brushes is recommended, whether you use a manual or electric brush. Never forget to brush your tongue as it is a storehouse of bacteria. What toothpaste is the most suitable? It is different for each person, explain your case to us and we will recommend the most appropriate one.
Oral cleaning must be thorough and thorough to prevent food from remaining in a hole and consequently having problems such as bad breath or gums. To avoid this, we recommend you complete your hygiene using other accessories. In the case of dental implants, there are special brushes that allow reaching all spaces.
Remember! 3 minutes is the recommended time for complete and effective hygiene.
2. Don't forget about the gaps
Flossing will allow you to remove bacterial plaque that may appear between the teeth, spaces where the brush does not reach. In the event that you can only use it once a day, we recommend that you do it at night.
Interproximal brushes are ideal for those with large spaces between teeth, or for example with orthodontic appliances. If when using it you notice that it does not fit comfortably, do not force it, perhaps you should use a smaller one or floss directly.
The dental irrigator is the latest system to complete oral hygiene, especially indicated in cases of difficult access to the spaces of the mouth, between teeth, implants or orthodontic appliances. At the Ahoa Clinic we have a selection for each case. Ask us!
3. A good mouthwash
When choosing the mouthwash to rinse, you have to keep in mind that there are many types, some have fluoride and other antiseptics that help prevent cavities and infections. It is best to ask for advice on which is the most recommended for each one.
Keep in mind that the most important thing is brushing, the mechanical effect. For this reason, the active mouthwash, one that has an antiseptic effect (chlorhexidine, for example), is not recommended unless we are facing an inflammatory process of the gums.
4. Mouth completely clean
An extra to get even cleaner teeth is the use of disclosing tablets, available in pharmacies. They are erythrosine pills (a pigment that is used as a food coloring) that, when spread over your teeth with the help of the tongue, stain those areas where there is bacterial plaque. If you do use them, you should brush your teeth as you normally would, but more thoroughly in the areas that have been stained.
5. Bad vices
And, although it seems that a hygiene routine is enough to keep your implants in perfect condition, there are also a series of habits that we recommend you eliminate, such as tobacco consumption. Not only can it stain the crowns of the implants and the teeth, but it can also cause a decrease in the process of integration of the implant in the bone and a loss of the defense capacity of the gums against bacteria.
6. Be careful with medications
Regarding the consumption of medications, only when it is essential, since the unregulated consumption of some can alter your implants.
If you take any medicine from the bisphosphonate family to strengthen bones (indicated for osteoporosis), ask us. It will be necessary to follow a regular control through radiographic tests, since in some cases important alterations occur in the integration of the implants.
7. The obligatory visit
And lastly, remember to periodically review yourself. The semi-annual visit is the norm, twice a year if you have implants and had gum problems.
If the mouth is in good health, hygiene advice is followed correctly and we do not have gum problems or tobacco use, the visit can be once a year.
As they say, prevention is better than cure.