How to Brush Properly Around Your Dental Implants

Brushing around dental implants isn’t exactly the same as brushing natural teeth. It takes a little more attention, but the payoff is enormous: clean gums, a strong replacement tooth, and a confident smile that lasts.

Why Your Restoration Needs Extra Care

An implant crown covers more surface area than a natural one, giving bacteria more hiding places. That’s why a quick swipe with a toothbrush won’t cut it. Thorough cleaning around the tooth and gumline helps prevent plaque buildup and protects against peri-implantitis, the biggest threat to its longevity.

The Proper Way to Brush Around Your Tooth

Dr Jeremy Lung (Dentist) offers a straightforward approach that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine:

• Use a soft-bristled manual toothbrush, such as the Colgate 360 Sensitive
• Angle the brush at 45 degrees toward your gumline
• Apply gentle, circular motions, massaging both the tooth surface and the gums
• Clean all sides of each tooth – outside, inside, and the chewing surfaces
• Pay extra attention to gaps where plaque can build up more easily

This technique keeps both the new tooth and the surrounding tissues fresh and healthy.

Should You Ditch the Electric Toothbrush?

You might not expect this recommendation, but Dr Lung advises swapping out electric toothbrushes for a soft manual brush. A properly used manual brush offers better control when cleaning the gumline around your tooth without risking trauma to delicate tissues.

Here are a few tips for long-term implant health: stick to gentle pressure – enough to sweep away plaque, but not so hard that you hurt your gums; stay consistent – brush twice a day to keep bacteria from gaining a foothold; combine brushing with flossing and Pikster use for the best defence.