So you’ve completed your implant journey—congratulations! It took time, yes, but consider this the smartest investment in your smile. Implants have transformed the way we replace teeth and their natural look and feel is second to none. Moreover, they’re built to last.
But before you start feeling invincible, let’s get real for a second — Are they really built to last?
Yes, but only with the right dental implant aftercare. You see, without proper oral care, gum infections can cause implant failure. Essentially, good oral hygiene is your implant’s best insurance policy. Without it, your implants are likely to fail. That’s a sad prospect after having invested your hard-earned cash, right?
Let me explain…
Why Oral Hygiene Matters After Dental Implants
Unlike natural teeth, dental implants have an artificial ceramic and titanium interface. Even the best implant crowns don’t have the ‘gloss and shine’ of natural enamel or inherent self-cleaning features. Okay, so they won’t have cavities but they can attract and store food particles and debris around them. When debris isn’t removed, it can lead to gum inflammation.
Inflamed gums are silent killers; they progress with no early symptoms. Over time, infected gums cause bone loss around implants, a condition called peri-implantitis—one of the biggest causes of failed implants. Lose sufficient bone and you’ll lose an implant! To put into perspective just how problematic peri-implantitis is here are some facts…
One study reported implant failure rates at 3.11%, with peri-implantitis being identified as the primary risk factor. A similar survey-based study found that more than half the people with implants experienced different stages of peri-implantitis because they didn’t know how to clean their implant crowns, bridges or overdentures properly or didn’t have the right tools to do so.
Dentists and researchers unanimously agree that poor oral hygiene practices continue to be the biggest roadblock to implant success.
This makes good dental implant aftercare a necessity, not an option.
With this in mind, here are some essential oral hygiene tips to keep your implants strong, healthy, and looking their best for years to come.
Dental Implant Aftercare—Basic, Simple, Yet Effective
As a general rule of thumb, you may want to adhere to the following quote…
“Take care of your dental implants as you would your natural teeth”
Do this and you’ll be well on your way to long-lasting implants.
But what exactly does that entail? Let’s take a look…
Regular Brushing and Flossing
Dental implant aftercare doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s essentially a combination of consistency and the right oral care products.
Brush twice a day as usual, without fail
As with natural teeth and gum health, soft-bristled toothbrushes are the best. If you’re a Sonic toothbrush fan, go ahead and use it. Studies show that electric toothbrushes are as efficient as manual brushes for dental implant aftercare.
But it’s not just about the type of toothbrush, it’s also the way you brush.
Try not to scrub or brush vigorously. Instead, hold the brush lightly, slightly angulated towards the gums (say, at an angle of 45 degrees), and gently brush with up-and-down strokes or in large, smooth circles.
Supplement with interdental brushes
These miniature, bottlebrush lookalikes are designed to pass between the implant crown and the natural tooth to sweep out plaque and food debris. Use interdental brushes once daily, before bedtime, soon after regular tooth brushing.
Don’t forget to floss
Implant-friendly flossing tools, like super floss or water flossers, are a must. Regular floss can shred or miss tricky spots, but floss designed for implant crowns gently cleans around the abutment (the part connecting the implant to the crown). You can swap flossing and interdental brushing—but you should do one or the other.
Mouthwash can be an adjunct
Alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash can rinse away lingering bacteria without drying out your mouth. Look for rinses with chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride. They can fight germs without being too harsh—a proven cure for peri-implantitis.
Okay, so that’s how the process of looking after your implants works, what about other factors like diet and lifestyle choices?
Diet—No Restrictions, Just Discipline
Implants allow you to eat and enjoy all your favourite foods. That’s why you got them in the first place, right?
Of course, but there are some key dietary points you might want to take onboard …
Nutrition is key
Make sure to eat enough protein- and calcium-rich foods like lean meat, fish, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, yoghurt, cheese, tofu, etc. Doing so ensures your jawbone and gums remain healthy and can fight the early onset of gum infection.
Oh, and don’t neglect your daily dose of antioxidants—they help fight gum inflammation. So, start your day with fresh whole fruits and add some salads to mealtimes.
Cut back on sugary food
Sugary, sticky foods can adhere to ceramic implant crowns, trapping bacteria and increasing the pulling forces on the crown, jeopardising its stability. So avoid excess sugary treats, or at the very least, ensure you brush thoroughly after partaking.
Watch out for hard crunchy foods
Dental implants don’t stop you from having your favourite hard crunchy food. However, that doesn’t mean teeth are invincible. Avoid using them in place of an ice pick or nutcrackers. Your teeth (and implants) will thank you for it.
Lifestyle Choices/Habits
Lifestyle choices and habits can also impact implant health in the long term; these include the following:
- Smoking not only restricts blood flow to the gums, it slows down the healing process and increases the risk of infection.
- Excessive alcohol can dry out your mouth creating an environment where bacteria thrive.
- Teeth grinding. Grinding can erode the implant crown and affect jaw stability. If you are diagnosed with this habit, your dentist may advise you to wear custom-made night guards to protect your teeth and implant health.
Periodic Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups hold the key to excellent dental implant aftercare. Here’s how they help:
Professional teeth cleaning
Even the best at-home routine can’t beat professional teeth cleaning or scaling. A hygienist will use special instruments like AirFlow sprays for ‘contactless’ cleaning or non-invasive ‘plastic hand scaling tools’ to safely and painlessly remove plaque and tartar around implants without damaging them.
Early detection of issues
Regular dental visits help catch small issues before they turn into full-blown disasters. Dentists can check for implant stability, signs of infection, and gum health — things you might miss at home.
Typically you should allow for two check-ups a year. Remember professional routine maintenance for dental implants helps to ensure long-term implant success.
Dental implant aftercare - The key takeaway
Dental implants are a lifesaver for those struggling with bad teeth, missing teeth or a damaged smile. But they rely a LOT on you—for ongoing support.
Proactive care—a little TLC, smart lifestyle choices, and regular dental visits are all it takes to keep your smile and dental implants healthy. If you have invested in an implant smile and want to learn more about how you can maximise your dental implant aftercare routine. Read more about dental implants and the latest tips and insights on implant health with us.