Daily care of your dental implants is essential for maintaining their long-term health. While flossing is important, some patients still experience small food particles getting stuck between their implants. This can lead to discomfort and potential problems, such as gum disease, if left unaddressed.
Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials that fuse with your jawbone. A restoration is placed on top of the implant to give it the appearance of a natural tooth, ensuring a tight seal with your gums. While it’s rare, food can get stuck under an implant if it was not properly placed. Flossing twice a day can help ensure food does not get trapped around your implant crown.
Once your implants are placed, one of our oral surgeons will guide you on how to properly care for them. Brushing and flossing twice daily are key to maintaining good oral hygiene and removing food from between your implants. For stubborn debris, many patients find an oral irrigator helpful such as a water pik, which your dentist may offer at his or her office. IIf food remains stuck around your implant and you’re unable to remove it, don’t hesitate to call your dentist’s office for assistance.
If food particles are left trapped between your dental implants or around the gumline, you may experience sensitivity or redness. It’s important to remove the debris quickly to prevent the risk of gum disease or infection. This can lead to periodontitis and subsequent bone loss around the dental implant.
