Cleaning Replacement Teeth – Dentures And Bridges Vs Dental Implants

Your Chelmsford dentist advises about aftercare for the most common tooth replacement systems.

There are a number of things that people consider when choosing between dentures and dental implants to replace any missing teeth. Cost and the procedure itself are two of the most common. One that perhaps is less considered is the amount of time and care that is needed to look after these, once you have them in place.

While this might not be the most important factor, it is worth discussing, especially as some people find it difficult to allocate just two minutes, twice a day to brush and floss their teeth. In today’s Blue Sky Dental blog then, let’s take a look at what you need to consider regarding cleaning dentures, bridges and dental implants.

Bridges

Let us take a look at the dental bridge first. The cleaning of a bridge is done in the mouth but can be quite tricky, especially as you need to clean beneath the bridge using a special brush. It is probably the middle of the pack when it comes to difficulty in cleaning, but this is rarely the key factor in any decision to have a bridge. Perhaps more of a consideration is that a bridge often requires preparation (re-shaping) of healthy teeth adjacent to the gap to hold it securely in place. This is often why some people prefer an alternative technique.

Dentures

Dentures have been around for a long time and are still many people’s first choice for replacing missing teeth. They offer reasonable functionality and have improved aesthetically over the years. When it comes to cleaning them though, they are top of the list when it comes to difficulty and time required.

For a start, dentures have to be removed from the mouth for cleaning. This is done with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Aside from the fact that this can be quite fiddly, they are usually cleaned over the sink and it is far from unusual for them to slip from the fingers and become damaged. This risk can be reduced by putting a towel in the sink first, but often this step is neglected meaning extra expense and inconvenience when your dentures break.

Dentures also need to be removed overnight and soaked. This is to keep them moist and also to prevent them from warping and going out of shape.  In certain situations, this could be potentially quite embarrassing and is one of the reasons why more and more people are switching to the final option – teeth implants.

Dental implants

Unlike dentures, implants are cleaned in the mouth. In fact, you should clean them no differently to how you would your own natural teeth. Dental implants have artificial ‘roots’ which are placed into the jawbone and, like your own teeth, it is important to clean around the gums as well as the crown part of the tooth. Failure to do so could lead to periodontitis which causes the bone to degrade and can cause implants (and teeth) to work loose and potentially come out altogether.

Essentially, if you think of your implants like teeth and clean them accordingly with good quality brushing and flossing, you won’t go far wrong. There is one other step though that you should take, whether you have implants or not, and that is to keep regular appointments to see the hygienist at Blue Sky Dental.

This is something that everyone should do, as no matter how well you clean your teeth, a ‘crust’ will eventually form on the teeth and around the gum line. This is known as tartar and is made from bacteria and minerals that are found in the saliva. It forms a rough surface that attracts more bacteria and will speed up any problems that this might cause. In addition to offering advice on how you might improve your oral health, the hygienist will perform a scale and polish which removes the tartar; something you can’t do on your own. This is a non invasive treatment and should be carried out twice a year, or more if the hygienist recommends it. This might apply to diabetics, smokers and anyone who is at a higher risk.

As you can see then, dental implants offer the best option for cleaning purposes, and, we believe, for general use too. Their artificial root provides strength and stability that enables you to eat what you want without worry.

If you have a missing tooth, or teeth, and are unsure of the best way to replace them, why not give our Chelmsford dental team a call on 01245 211070, and arrange to have an initial consultation with one of our dentists to discuss this? We will identify what is most appropriate for you and provide a detailed treatment plan for your consideration.