Peri-Implant Disease Prevention Tips

You must take care of dental implants in ways not so dissimilar from the way you take care of teeth, even if the implants don’t decay. The tissues surrounding them are vulnerable to inflammation and infection, so it’s best to peri-implant disease prevention tips. Peri-implant disease comes in two forms:  peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.  

Peri mucositis is similar to gingivitis with typical symptoms, such as gum inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding.  It’s less severe than peri-implantitis, which can lead to bone loss and the failure of the implant itself. The good news is that at-home care is possible and, if practiced diligently, can reverse the condition in its early stages. Minimize and prevent the risk of peri-implant disease by following these peri-implant disease prevention tips.  

 

 

Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene

Keep food particles and bacteria away from tissues surrounding implants, as this greatly reduces the risk of infection. Peri-implant disease usually begins to develop due to the accumulation of biofilm, plaque, and tartar, so regular brushing and flossing are key. Daily biofilm removal must be at the center of peri-implant disease prevention efforts that can be performed at home.

Brushing

Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day.  Always brush thoroughly at the gum line and under implant crowns.

Flossing

Floss at least once a day.  Again, in addition to cleaning between teeth, areas beneath implant crowns should also be flossed.

Mouth wash

Use mouth wash at least once a day.  This can reach down inside between the implant and gums where bacteria can otherwise fester.

Water Flossing

Water flossing is an effective alternative and/or supplement to regular string floss, because of difficulties implants pose to effective string floss use. The steady stream of pressurized water emitted by a water flosser has been proven to reduce bleeding around gums significantly in comparison with string floss.  This makes water flossing a powerful factor in peri-implant disease prevention.

The AQ-230 and AQ-350 water flossers from Aquapick are two models that deliver powerful cleaning capability highly suitable for at-home implant hygiene. Their IPX7 waterproofing and ergonomic design provide safe, comfortable deep cleaning around implants and other difficult-to-reach areas of the mouth. The cordless AQ-230’s compact portability and large 200 ml tank enable cleaning convenience anywhere.

The space-saver countertop AQ-350 uses smart start sensing technology to automatically clean areas often inaccessible to traditional toothbrushes and floss. Both models produce 0.6 mm ultra-fine streams of water that efficiently flush food debris and bacteria from between teeth. Multiple, easily adjustable settings make AQ-230 and AQ-350 appropriate for children as well as adults.