After investing in full mouth dental implants, undergoing dental implant surgery, and finally experiencing the joy of replacing missing teeth with a stunning new smile, the last thing you want is to jeopardize their longevity. The good news is: With a proper dental hygiene routine designed specifically for dental implant patients, you should be able to rely on strong, functional implants and a healthy mouth for many years to come. Infection is the number one leading cause of implant failure, so preventing issues like bone loss and excess bleeding at the implant site is paramount. Just as with natural teeth, a consistent, twice-daily cleaning routine should effectively keep your implants clean and infection-free.
At Doctors Implants, we’re often asked whether we recommend the use of electric toothbrushes as part of a comprehensive dental hygiene routine following dental implant surgery. We won’t keep you in suspense—the answer is yes. After your initial healing period, we do recommend electric toothbrushes to our dental implant patients. We also strongly advise using water flossers instead of manual flossing to effectively clean the implant site, remove plaque, and reduce the risk of infection and implant failure. Both electric toothbrushes and water flossers offer superior dental hygiene outcomes, ensuring your implants remain clean and healthy for many years.
Below, we’ve provided an overview of the key benefits of using electric toothbrushes and water flossers with your dental implants, along with important tips to maximize the effectiveness of your daily oral hygiene routine. Whether you’re exploring the benefits of replacing missing teeth through the 6 Hour Smile or have already undergone implant surgery, our experienced dentists are here to answer your dental hygiene questions, discuss your specific needs, and guide you through every step of the healing process. To learn more, contact our office today to schedule your free dental implant consultation.
Benefits of Using an Electric Toothbrush
Both manual and electric toothbrushes can be used to maintain excellent oral health, but a wealth of research has revealed that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and preventing gum disease, bone loss, and implant failure, both short-term and long-term. Some unique benefits include:
- Exceptional Results – Electric toothbrushes effectively remove plaque and food particles, preventing gum disease and maintaining your dental implants clean.
- More Strokes per Minute – Electric toothbrushes produce thousands of strokes per minute, vastly surpassing manual toothbrush capabilities, ensuring more thorough cleaning around sensitive gums and implant sites.
- Timed Brushing – Built-in timers ensure that patients brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes, enhancing overall oral health.
- Easy on the Arm – Ideal for elderly patients or those with conditions making manual brushing difficult, electric toothbrushes require minimal force and ensure consistent cleaning.
- Consistency on Both Sides – If you have a dominant hand/arm, chances are that you brush with more force on one side of your mouth. An electric toothbrush eliminates any discrepancies and ensures that all your implants are all treated to the same high standard of care.
Considerations Before Using an Electric Toothbrush With Your Implants
The primary consideration before using an electric toothbrush post-implant surgery is the stage of your healing process. Once your implants are fused with the jawbone (osseointegration), using an electric toothbrush won’t cause damage. However, using it too soon after implant surgery may cause excess bleeding or irritate the surgical site..
When you undergo the 6 Hour Smile, you will receive essential after-care instructions from your dentist. Always follow these precisely and consult your dentist before making any adjustments to your dental hygiene routine.
Different Types of Electric Toothbrushes on the Market
Two main types of electric toothbrushes are available: sonic toothbrushes and oscillating toothbrushes. Both are effective at cleaning implants, removing plaque, and protecting gums, making the choice largely a matter of personal preference.
Sonic Toothbrushes – Sonic toothbrushes produce up to 30,000 strokes per minute, providing gentle yet thorough cleaning at the gum line and around implants, effectively reducing bacteria and risk of infection.
Oscillating Toothbrushes – These have a rotating round head producing around 2,500-2,700 strokes per minute, gently cleaning the implant site and surrounding gums without causing damage.
Electric toothbrush care is straightforward and very similar to manual toothbrush care. Electric toothbrushes involves keeping your toothbrush upright, clean, and dry to prevent bacteria buildup.
Bonus Tip: When purchasing heads for your electric toothbrush, always be sure to go with soft bristles.
Water Flossers
Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, are oral health appliances that shoot a pulsating stream of water to clean effectively between teeth or implants and below the gum line. They can allow you to access those hard-to-reach areas that are often missed, even with manual flossing.
At Doctors Implants, we encourage our patients to use a water flosser as part of their oral hygiene routine. These appliances are readily available in countertop or handheld versions.
How To Use a Water Flosser
If you’re new to using a water flosser and aren’t exactly sure what it entails, we’ve outlined the process below:
- Ensure your water source is filled or connected. This could mean filling a reservoir with clean, lukewarm water or attaching your water flosser to a faucet.
- Select your preferred pressure setting and lean over the sink to avoid splashing.
- Work from your molars toward the front of your mouth. Aim the jet of water over each tooth, including the gumline and the spaces between teeth. Repeat on the outside and inside of each tooth.
- Empty the water reservoir or detach from the faucet and clean your water flosser.
Contact Doctors Implants if you have specific questions about using a water flosser with your new implants.
How To Choose the Best Electric Toothbrush for Implants
Choosing the best electric toothbrush for your needs and circumstances ultimately comes down to the features that are most desirable for you. Some considerations to keep in mind include:
- Grip – Does the toothbrush fit comfortably in your hand and will you be able to easily keep hold of it while brushing twice daily?
- Bristles – Are the bristles soft and is the toothbrush head the right size for your teeth and mouth?
- Size – Is the overall size of the toothbrush a good fit for your needs and the size of your bathroom counter?
- Battery Life – How long will your toothbrush last between charges?
For any specific questions about selecting the best electric toothbrush and/or water flosser for your new implants, don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated team at Doctors Implants directly.
Visit Doctors Implants for Your Dental Implants and Receive After-Care Instructions You Can Trust
Investing in dental implants is a significant step toward a healthy, beautiful smile. Doctors Implants ensures that you’re fully supported from implant placement to recovery and beyond. Our dentists provide comprehensive after-care advice, clear instructions, and regular follow-ups to minimize risks, prevent complications, and ensure optimal healing and long-term implant success.
Whether you’re wondering which electric toothbrush to purchase for your new smile or are seeking answers to any other questions, no matter how small or large, your needs are a priority for our world-class team and we are dedicated to meeting them with the utmost compassion and professionalism.
Ready to learn more about dental implants and the 6 Hour Smile? Contact the Doctors Implants team to set up your free initial consultation today!