Importance of home care for dental implants

The importance of cleaning around your dental implant is the same as a natural tooth structure. Thorough regular oral hygiene helps remove bacteria and keep tissue surround the implant and adjacent teeth healthy and will help prevent and reduce the risk of peri- implant disease (destruction of hard and soft tissue around the implant).

Instruments to help keep your implants clean:

• Tooth brush: Electric or hand held brushes remove the plaque on visable tooth/ implant surfaces, and stimulate tissue to keep areas healthy.
• Floss/ Super floss: Ensures that plaque removal under implants is removed (where tooth brushes do not reach). Also helps with tissue stimulation.
• Proxy brushes/ Soft picks/ Curaprox brushes: Help removal of plaque between teeth/ implants and under tissue. Similar to floss but helps with larger spaces between implants and or teeth. Also is great for tissue stimulation.
• Water Pik: Helps with plaque removal between teeth, under implant, and helps stimulate tissue. Flushes areas that are hard to reach, and many patients find it easier then manual plaque removal.
• Mouth rinses: Help with the removal of bacteria on tissue surfaces. Great for disinfection.
• Regular dental hygiene cleanings: Your hygienist is one of your best defenses against gum disease. They reach areas that are hard to access, help diagnose tissue concerns, and are your personal coaches to ensure you and your dental implant or implants stay healthy long term.

For patients that have implant supported dentures, oral hygiene under and on your implants are just as important. Proper cleaning and care allows your tissue to stay strong and healthy, keeping your denture comfortable and functional long term.

Oral Piercings Related to Oral Health

Oral piercing sites include the tongue, lips and cheeks. Oral piercings are considered body art and is a personal statement. The jewelry is made of stainless steel, gold, titanium or niobium, and consists of studs, barbells or hoops.

Dangers of Oral Piercings:

• Pain, swelling and bleeding.
• Tissue scarring.
• Gum damage (recession) from trauma caused by the jewelry rubbing.
• Infection that can travel through the bloodstream.
• Chipped or cracked teeth.
• Problems swallowing.
• Choking on or aspiration of jewelry.
• Difficulty eating/loss of taste.
• Nerve damage.
• Bad breath (halitosis).
• Tartar formation on the oral jewelry.

Care for Oral Piercings to Help Avoid Complications:

• Wash your hands before touching the piercing.
• Brush and rinse after every meal.
• Clean the piercing site with an alcohol free antiseptic mouth wash after every meal.
• Brush the jewelry to remove any plaque present.
• Remove the jewelry before eating, sleeping or playing sports.
• Any yellow or green pus suggests an infection is present; a physician should be contacted immediately if this occurs.

Dental Hygienist are aware of the possible consequences and risks associated with oral piercings. During regular dental examinations your dental hygienist will check for cracked or chipped teeth, as well as gum infection/damage (recession). The Ontario Dental Hygienist Association does not recommend any type of oral piercing.