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A 61-year-old male asked:

My dentist is too busy to answer question. can i floss adjacent teeth starting the day after having a one stage dental implant surgical operation?

4 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Theodore Davantzis
Dentistry 42 years experience
Unfortunate: It is so unfortunate that your provider has no time to talk to you. Flossing should not be a problem as long as you don't disturb the surgical site. This issue as well as many others should be a part of your post op instructions. Make it so.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Anthony Marra
Dentistry 13 years experience
Floss gently: Flossing is key component of implant home care. Don't aggressively floss around the area and disturb the health tissue. Gently floss the areas adjacent to the implant site. Don't use a water pic this will cause blunting of the supporting soft tissue and can actually push bacteria down into the implant site causing perio implantitis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Paul Grin
Pain Management 38 years experience
Highly Recommended: It is highly recommended to use unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss. Make sure to floss at least every night, though ideally after every meal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Justin Nelson
Pediatric Dentistry 18 years experience
I would wait: Granted I appreciate your wanting to floss but due to the surgical site still healing (possibly with sutures) I would not floss directly around that area for a week at least. You still want to gently brush the area but please wait on flossing the area
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Mar 27, 2016

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