Reviewed by Dr Andrew Connolly BDS MSc Implant Dent, Principal Dental Surgeon · Limes Dental Practice · September 2026
Getting a dental implant is a genuine investment in your smile, and how you look after it day to day makes a real difference to how long it lasts. The good news is that cleaning around an implant isn't complicated. It just needs a slightly different approach to your natural teeth.
An implant itself can't get a cavity, since it isn't made of natural tooth material. But the gum and bone around it can still become inflamed or infected if plaque is allowed to build up, a condition called peri-implantitis. Left unchecked, it can lead to bone loss around the implant and, in more serious cases, put the implant itself at risk.
The reassuring part is that this is almost entirely preventable with consistent, gentle daily cleaning. It doesn't take long, and once it becomes part of your routine it's no different from brushing and flossing your natural teeth.
Standard floss works for some patients, but many find purpose-made tools easier and more effective around an implant crown:
Super floss or implant-specific floss. This has a stiffened end for threading under the crown and a softer, spongier middle section that wraps comfortably around the implant itself.
Interdental brushes. Small brushes sized to fit the gap between the implant and neighbouring teeth. Choose a size that slides in without needing to be forced.
A water flosser. Using a gentle stream of water to clear debris from around the implant and gumline, particularly useful for anyone who finds traditional floss fiddly to manoeuvre.
A soft-bristled or extra-soft electric toothbrush. Firm bristles aren't necessary and can be harder on the gum tissue around the implant than a softer brush.
The technique is similar to flossing a natural tooth, with a bit more care around the gumline.
Take a longer piece of floss than you'd normally use, around 18 inches, so you can move to a clean section as you work around the mouth. Gently guide it between the implant and the neighbouring tooth, then curve it into a C-shape around the base of the implant crown.
Move it up and down in a gentle motion rather than snapping it into place, which can irritate the gum tissue. Take your time on each implant, working around the full circumference before moving to a fresh section of floss for the next one.
Not dramatically. Brush the implant crown the same way you'd brush a natural tooth, using small circular motions rather than harsh scrubbing. The main thing to be mindful of is choosing a non-abrasive toothpaste, since some whitening or heavily abrasive formulas can be harsher than necessary on the surface around the implant.
In the days immediately after implant surgery, your cleaning routine will be different from your long-term routine, and your dentist will give you specific instructions based on how your healing is progressing. This usually means a gentler approach around the surgical site until it's settled, before returning to your normal routine.
If you're unsure what stage you're at or what's appropriate at any point during healing, it's always better to check with us directly than to guess. See our guide on dental implant aftercare for more on the healing period specifically.
A small amount of bleeding when you first introduce flossing around an implant isn't unusual, particularly if it's been a while since you last flossed that area consistently. But bleeding that persists, along with any swelling, tenderness or an unpleasant taste around the implant, is worth mentioning to us rather than waiting to see if it settles on its own.
Catching this early is straightforward to deal with. Left for months, it becomes a bigger problem.
Yes. Daily home care is essential, but it isn't a substitute for regular dental hygiene visits. A hygienist can reach areas around the implant that are genuinely difficult to clean thoroughly at home, and will check the health of the surrounding gum and bone at the same time.
If you have an implant and want to make sure your home routine is doing its job properly, or you're due a check-up and haven't had one since your implant was fitted, you can book a check-up with us at Limes Dental Practice in Gloucester. We're always happy to run through your cleaning technique in person if you'd like some reassurance you're getting it right.
