Dental implants are widely considered the “gold standard” when it comes to replacing missing teeth. They are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. But are they really the same?
One question that many patients and ‘would be’ patients wonder is ‘does food get under dental implants?”
We all know how frustrating getting food stuck in and under your natural teeth can be. And for those of you with dentures, this can be an even bigger hassle as food can make its way under the false teeth where it sticks in the glue holding the device in place.
What about dental implants though? Do you have to worry about food becoming lodged in, under or around them? And if so, what can you do to prevent it from happening, or clean it out when it does get stuck?
Luckily, this guide covers all of that and then some. Let’s dive in…
Why Getting Food Under Your Dental Implants is a Problem
Whether you’ve had or are considering a single tooth, single arch, or a full replacement of your pearly whites with dental implants, you may have heard stories about food getting stuck.
Similar to your natural teeth, dental implants also have nooks and crannies and small crevices where food can become lodged or stuck. When food embeds itself in, under or around these areas, it isn’t only unsightly and embarrassing, it can cause inflammation, irritation, pain, and even infection if not dealt with.
Before you bust out the toothpick or wear out your tongue trying to remove that piece of spinach from between your two front teeth, let’s first take a look at why or how food might get stuck under a dental implant so you know what to watch for.
Why Food Might Get Stuck Under Dental Implants
Poorly Positioned or Shifting Positions: In some cases, a poorly anchored implant, changes in the health of your jaw bone, or changes in the health of surrounding teeth can cause shifting or movement, creating gaps where food may get caught.
Stock Abutments: These might be cost-savers, but pre-fabricated components that take a ‘one size fits all’ approach leaves room for an improper fit.
A Poorly Fitted Crown: If you’ve gotten a single implant, this is the ‘cap’ that sits atop of the abutment and looks like your real tooth. If your new tooth/teeth are created with inaccurate measurements or are poorly done, this could contribute to food getting under your dental implants more often than normal. This is why the experience of your provider matters so much. You want to go to someone who does this process day in and day out.
Choosing the Right Team
The skill and experience of your provider can directly impact how your implants function, feel, and fit. This is important because poorly placed implants or poorly designed teeth could contribute to a bad fit and food constantly getting stuck under your teeth.
At Nuvia, your dental implants are placed by oral surgeons who’ve completed four additional years of surgical training after dental school. That means your care is in the hands of an expert who has placed thousands of implants.
Then, your new smile is designed by a restorative dentist who day in and day out designed permanent teeth for patients to fit snug, feel natural, and actually work for everyday life.
When it comes to your smile you want a team that can deliver something high-quality and fully functional. Don’t settle for less.
Even When All is Done Right – Food Can Still Get Stuck Where it Doesn’t Belong
Even before getting your new teeth, you likely had the occasional piece of food get stuck between your teeth. From pesky corn kernels to stringy vegetables or a tough piece of meat, food has a way of finding its way where it doesn’t belong.
The same can happen with dental implants. They are a permanent replacement for failed natural teeth. This means that they too have crevices and spaces where food can find its way in.
How to Get Food Stuck Under Your Dental Implants OUT!
In general, taking care of your dental implants is a breeze, requiring no more work than taking care of your natural teeth. But when food gets stuck in or under them, you might need to use a different approach.
Use A Water Flosser
With natural teeth the answer to how to get food unstuck may be simple. Just use floss.
However, normal floss may not be quite as easy to use with dental implants. If you struggle to reach certain areas or feel like food keeps getting trapped around your dental implants, a Waterpik can help.
What is a Waterpik
A Waterpik (or water flosser) uses a stream of water to flush out food and bacteria from hard-to-reach places—especially under the gums and around implants. It’s easy to use, gentle on your mouth, and more effective than floss alone at clearing debris.
There are both counter top models and travel models that are easy to use when you’re out and about (you’ll just need a sink). If food gets stuck near your dental implants often, this tool can make a huge difference.
How to Use a Waterpik
From Natural Teeth to Implants, Stuck Food can Happen
Getting food stuck in or under your teeth can be aggravating, unsightly and potentially dangerous if left unchecked. Luckily, most food comes out with the right brush angle, or in some cases, with the added pressure from a waterpik.
That being said, you want to make sure that you get your dental implants done by an expert who does dental implants day in and day out so you aren’t left with pesky “food traps” all over your mouth.
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