Living with fixed teeth
Fixed teeth don't decay, but the gums and bone around implants still need care. A few minutes a day protects years of use.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026Brush twice a day and clean under and around the bridge daily with interdental brushes, super floss or a water flosser. See a dentist and hygienist regularly; the bridge may occasionally be removed by your dentist for a deep clean. Watch for bleeding, swelling or looseness, which can signal peri-implantitis, and get help early.
Every day
The Oral Health Foundation says cleaning implants is similar to cleaning natural teeth: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean carefully around each implant every day with interdental brushes. With a full arch, also clean under the bridge, where food collects:
- interdental brushes sized for the gaps around each implant
- super floss threaded under the bridge
- a water flosser, which many people find easiest
Check-ups and hygiene visits
Keep regular appointments with a UK dentist and hygienist, and give them your implant passport and X-rays. From time to time, your dentist may unscrew the bridge for a thorough clean and check.
Warning signs
Plaque around implants can cause peri-implantitis, an infection that can lead to sore, red or bleeding gums and, if untreated, loosening or loss of an implant. Get help early if you notice:
- bleeding or swelling around an implant
- a bad taste or persistent bad breath
- anything that feels loose, or a change in your bite
- a chip or crack in the bridge
For pain, swelling or a high temperature, see a local dentist or call NHS 111 straight away.
Repairs and guarantees
The teeth on top take the daily wear, so occasional repairs are normal. Keep your guarantee and records together, and note what it covers, for how long, and whether travel is included. The NHS says you cannot claim back the cost of dental treatment abroad.
Precious Dental publishes its guarantee terms in full. Read them →
Common questions
Can I clean a full arch with an ordinary toothbrush?
Brushing is the start, but food collects under the bridge. Interdental brushes, super floss or a water flosser reach where a brush can't.
Will my UK dentist look after it?
Many will, especially with your implant passport. Some prefer not to repair work done abroad, so ask before you travel.
How long will it last?
With good care, implants can last many years, says the Oral Health Foundation, but there's no lifetime guarantee. The bridge on top may need repair or replacement.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants (care, peri-implantitis)
- NHS — Treatment abroad checklist (no reimbursement for dental treatment)
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
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