Interesting perspective on fluoride rinses—I had a similar conversation with my dentist when I got my implants about three years ago. She explained pretty much the same thing: fluoride doesn't really affect the implants themselves, but it can still help protect the remaining natural teeth. I've kept using fluoride mouthwash because I still have a fair number of natural teeth left, and honestly, I've noticed fewer sensitivity issues since I stuck with it. But you're right, everyone's mouth is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another...
"fluoride doesn't really affect the implants themselves, but it can still help protect the remaining natural teeth."
That's interesting because when I talked to my dentist about fluoride rinses after getting my implants last year, she actually had a slightly different take. She mentioned that while fluoride is fantastic for natural teeth, she advised caution with certain mouthwashes due to potential acidity or ingredients that might irritate the gums around implants. Instead, she recommended a neutral pH rinse specifically formulated for implant maintenance and suggested using fluoride toothpaste carefully rather than relying heavily on fluoride rinses.
I've been following her advice for almost a year now, and so far I've felt pretty comfortable—no sensitivity or irritation issues. Of course, everyone's oral health situation is unique, like you said. But just thought I'd share this perspective as an alternative approach to consider...
That's a good point about the acidity in some mouthwashes—it's something that often gets overlooked. Fluoride itself isn't usually an issue around implants, but you're right that certain rinses can irritate the gums or even affect healing if they're too harsh. Neutral pH rinses are definitely gentler, and I've seen patients have good results with them, especially if they're prone to sensitivity or inflammation.
It's interesting how dentists' recommendations can vary slightly based on their experiences or training. I usually suggest fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing, but I also remind patients to check the ingredients of mouthwash carefully. Some popular brands can be surprisingly acidic or contain alcohol, which isn't ideal for implant sites.
Glad to hear your routine is working well for you so far—sounds like you're doing something right! It's always helpful hearing what others have found effective in real-world use...keeps things interesting and gives us dental folks something new to think about.
That's a good point about the acidity in some mouthwashes—it's something that often gets overlooked. Fluoride itself isn't usually an issue around implants, but you're right that certain rinses c...
I appreciate seeing this discussion... honestly, I was pretty anxious about my implants at first and didn't even realize mouthwash acidity could be a thing until my dentist pointed it out. Switched to a neutral rinse, and my gums calmed down noticeably. Wish I'd known sooner!
Same here, I didn't even think about acidity until our dentist mentioned it for my son's implant. We switched to a neutral rinse too, and it made a noticeable difference with irritation around his gums. Another thing we learned was to avoid whitening toothpastes—they seemed to cause some sensitivity around the implant area. Small details like these really add up over time... wish dentists would mention them upfront more often.
