DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental Implant Care & Maintenance Guide
Dental Implant Care & Maintenance Guide
Brushing and flossing around an implant
Brush twice a day, angling the bristles slightly toward the gumline where the crown meets the gum. This is the spot where plaque collects fastest and where an infection would start if one develops.
Flossing matters even more around implants than around natural teeth, because implants don’t have the same nerve sensitivity. You can miss the early signs of a problem simply because you can’t feel it the way you would with a natural tooth. A daily pass with floss or a water flosser under the crown clears out debris a toothbrush can’t reach.
Skip whitening toothpaste on implant crowns. The abrasive particles that lighten enamel can scratch the porcelain or the metal collar of the restoration, leaving a rougher surface for plaque to grip.
Why professional cleanings still matter after implant placement
Once tartar forms around an implant, brushing at home can’t remove it, the same as with natural teeth. Sherway Dentistry recommends a few professional dental cleanings a year, and for implant patients these visits do double duty: the hygienist checks the crown margin and the surrounding gum tissue for the bleeding or pocketing that signals early peri-implant disease, well before you’d notice anything yourself.
What a maintenance visit actually checks
A checkup for an implant patient isn’t identical to a routine exam. The dentist looks specifically at bone level around the post, usually with digital X-rays, since bone loss around an implant can happen quietly and isn’t visible just by looking in a mirror.
Every routine visit at Sherway Dentistry also includes a VELscope oral cancer screening at no extra charge. It takes about two minutes and uses a fluorescent light to flag tissue changes a standard visual exam might miss, which matters for implant patients since you’re already being seen more closely than average.
Warning signs that need attention sooner rather than later
Bleeding when you brush around an implant is not normal, even though it’s easy to write off. Persistent bad breath near one specific tooth, a metallic taste, or any looseness in the crown are reasons to call before your next scheduled cleaning rather than waiting it out.
About seven in ten Canadians develop some form of gum disease during their lifetime, and that risk doesn’t reset because a tooth was replaced with an implant. If you’ve had gum disease treatment in the past, tell your hygienist. Patients with a history of periodontal disease need closer monitoring around their implants, not less.
Habits that shorten an implant's lifespan
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for implant failure after the initial healing period, because it restricts blood flow to the gum tissue that has to stay healthy to keep the post anchored. If you smoke and you’re considering implants, or already have them, raise this directly with your dentist.
Grinding or clenching puts far more force on an implant than normal chewing does, and unlike a natural tooth, an implant has no periodontal ligament to absorb that shock. If you wake up with a sore jaw or your partner mentions you grind at night, mention it at your next visit.
How long implants actually last
Placed and maintained well, a dental implant can last the rest of your life. The crown on top may eventually need replacement after years of normal wear, similar to a filling or crown on a natural tooth, but the titanium post itself is designed to stay put once it has fused to the jawbone. The maintenance routine above is what determines whether that happens on the shorter or longer end of “lifetime.”
If you're just getting implants placed
If you’re earlier in the process, the maintenance habits above start the day your dental implant treatment is complete, not months later once everything feels settled. Ask your dentist to walk you through cleaning around your specific restoration, since a single crown, a bridge, and an implant-supported denture aren’t cared for in exactly the same way.
Replacing or repairing an implant later is more expensive than maintaining one now. If cost is part of what’s holding you back from staying on top of checkups, ask about flexible payment plans before skipping a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dental implant get a cavity?
No. The titanium post and the porcelain or zirconia crown can’t decay. The risk is infection in the gum and bone around the implant, not decay in the implant itself.
How often should implant patients get a cleaning?
The same schedule as natural teeth in most cases, a few visits a year, though your dentist may recommend closer spacing if you have a history of gum disease or your implant sits somewhere hard to clean at home.
What does peri-implantitis feel like?
Early on, often nothing beyond mild bleeding when you brush. As it progresses it can cause gum recession around the crown, tenderness, or a change in how the crown feels when you bite down.
Is a water flosser better than string floss for implants?
Either works if used daily. A water flosser tends to be easier to angle correctly under a bridge or a wider crown, which is why many hygienists recommend it for implant-supported restorations specifically.
If it’s been more than six months since your implant was last examined, even if nothing feels wrong, go ahead and request a dental appointment.
Have Questions?
We hope you found this helpful! If you have any questions about your oral health or are interested in booking a future treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team at Sherway Dentistry. We’re always here to help you maintain a healthy, confident smile.”
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