Keeping Dental Implants Healthy: Daily Cleaning and Follow-Up Care

When you brush an implant crown, it’s easy to focus on the chewing surface and miss the narrow edge where the crown meets the gum. Plaque that collects there can irritate the gums and, over time, put the bone supporting the implant at risk. At our Falls Church office, we show patients how to reach that edge and choose a cleaning tool that fits the space around each dental implant.

How to Clean Around a Dental Implant

If you recently had implant surgery, follow the cleaning instructions we gave you while the area heals. Once your permanent crown or bridge is in place and we’ve cleared you for regular cleaning, we recommend these daily habits.

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use gentle, short strokes along the gumline on both the cheek side and the tongue side of the crown.

• Clean between the implant crown and the neighboring teeth once a day. Floss can work well in a tight space. For a wider gap, we can help you find a small interdental brush that fits without forcing it.

• If your implants support a fixed bridge, clean beneath the replacement teeth each day. A floss threader can help you guide floss under the bridge where toothbrush bristles have trouble reaching.

What We Check at Follow-Up Visits

During an implant checkup, we look for bleeding or swelling and gently measure the space between the gum and the implant. We compare those measurements with earlier visits to spot changes. When needed, we use an X-ray to check the bone supporting the implant.

We also remove hardened plaque and check how your teeth meet when you bite. If food keeps catching under one side of a bridge, point out the spot. We can check the fit and show you how to clean that particular area. Your gum health and history of gum disease help us decide how often to schedule follow-up care.

When to Call Between Visits

Call us if the gums around a healed implant keep bleeding when you brush, look swollen, or feel tender. A crown that clicks or shifts when you chew also deserves a prompt check, even if it feels comfortable. Until we can examine it, avoid chewing on that side.

To schedule your dental implant checkup, call Le Smile Aesthetic & Comprehensive Dentistry in Falls Church, VA, at (703) 534-6226.