Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth and provide a stable anchor for replacement teeth. Other than that, there are few restrictions on their usage. Do you have to leave your electric toothbrush at home when you get dental implants? Not necessarily unless its a full mouth. Electric toothbrushes with soft bristles are gentler on the gums, but there’t no reason why using an electric model will compromise the success of your implant. In fact, using an electric toothbrush may increase the likelihood of success by reducing plaque. The key is choosing a brush that works with your new dental crowns without compromising their effectiveness or jeopardising your health in any way. Keep reading for more information about electric toothbrushes and dental implants!
You can always ask your oral surgeon for more specific guidance, but in most cases, after the patient has healed fully from dental implant placement, the use of an electric toothbrush is perfectly safe for your implants.
Why use an electric toothbrush?
There are many reasons why an electric toothbrush can be an excellent choice for people with dental implants.
Dental health. Regular use of an electric toothbrush can reduce the risk of periodontal disease, which is more likely in people with implants.
Better oral hygiene. An electric toothbrush can help you brush more thoroughly, particularly if your oral health isn’t what it should be.
Less plaque. Both manual and electric toothbrushes remove plaque but an electric toothbrush has the added cleaning power of vibration and will remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush.
Cleaner teeth. Electric toothbrushes come with a number of different accessories, including specialized heads for cleaning sensitive teeth.
Better for your gums. While a manual toothbrush can help remove plaque, it can also cause bleeding in the gums if used too vigorously. An electric toothbrush can help avoid this.
Dental implant care and maintenance
Taking care of your dental implants is crucial, particularly in the first few months after surgery.
Neglecting your implants increases the risk of failure, and a failed surgery is expensive and time-consuming.
Clean regularly. Your implant isn’t a tooth and doesn’t benefit from regular brushing.
You can clean your implant by rinsing it under running water.
Avoid aggressive brushing. Brushing too hard can damage your gum tissue and disrupt the healing process.
Protect your implant. Keep your implant clean and dry, and avoid eating sticky foods or chewing tobacco.
What to look for in an electric toothbrush after implants
Power source: The vast majority of electric toothbrushes are powered by batteries, but there are a number of models powered by mains electricity. Make sure you choose a model that’s compatible with your country’s power supply.
Brush head: For many people, the brush head on their electric toothbrush is a significant factor in their decision-making process.
Modes and features : The most basic electric toothbrushes have a single cleaning mode and a built-in timer. More advanced models feature a variety of modes, such as gum stimulation and special modes designed for cleaning implants.
Battery length: Battery life is a significant consideration when choosing an electric toothbrush.
What about pressure on toothbrush?
Some people worry about applying too much pressure when brushing their implants. The truth is that you should rinse and brush your implants gently, using very little pressure. If you use too much pressure when brushing your implants, you risk damaging your implant and causing unnecessary pain.
Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth after a dental implant, even with the healing abutments, is not a problem, but you should not use an electric toothbrush for two months after your implant surgery. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas. Brushing your teeth is recommended after dental implant placement. The cleaner we can keep your mouth and the surgical site itself, the lower the risk of infection. Brushing the surgical site itself should be done VERY GENTLY, allowing the antibiotic mouth rinse to do most of the cleaning in that area.
Bottom line
The best electric toothbrush for dental implants is one that keeps your gums healthy, your teeth clean and your implants clean and unharmed. While there are no restrictions on the type of toothbrush you use, there are a few things to keep in mind when brushing with dental implants. Remember to clean and rinse your implant regularly, avoid aggressive brushing and protect your implant from food particles and bacteria.
