Dental Implant Care
Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone where teeth are missing. They can replace the roots of missing teeth and also support single crowns, bridges, and dentures.
A dental implant consists of three parts: the titanium post that duplicates the root of a tooth, the abutment that attaches to the post, and the crown that attaches to the abutment. The crown resembles a natural tooth and is visible in the mouth.
Dental Implants and Gum Health
Gum health is critical for long-term implant success.
Plaque and bacteria that form around an implant can cause gum inflammation and lead to peri-implant disease, such as peri-implant mucositis (similar to gingivitis) and peri-implantitis (similar to periodontitis).
Daily cleaning of all the surfaces above and below the gumline and regular dental check-ups are key to preventing peri-implant disease.
Cleaning Above and Below the Gumline
Dental implants are easy to clean if you follow a few simple techniques.
A manual or electric toothbrush with soft bristles and a Waterpik® Water Flosser with the Plaque Seeker™ Tip help clean around implants and promote healthy gums.
Watch the Water Flosser with the Plaque Seeker™ Tip clean and floss dental implants:
The Plaque Seeker™ Tip is designed to provide the benefits of pulsating water. It has three thin tufts of bristles to access stubborn plaque around implants and other areas that are especially susceptible to plaque accumulation.
In fact, clinical research found that the Waterpik® Water Flosser used with the Plaque Seeker™ Tip is more than 2X as effective as string floss for dental implant patients.
