How to clean All-on-6 implants
The bridge can't decay, but the gum and bone around the implants can become infected. A few minutes a day prevents most problems.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026Brush the bridge twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, and clean underneath it and around each implant every day with interdental brushes, super floss or a water flosser. See a dentist and hygienist regularly; your dentist may occasionally unscrew the bridge for a deep clean. Bleeding, swelling or looseness should be checked early.
Why cleaning matters so much
The Oral Health Foundation warns that if plaque builds up around an implant it can cause peri-implantitis: red, sore or swollen gums, bleeding, infection, and in the end loosening or loss of the implant. The British Society of Periodontology calls self-care "the most important aspect of maintaining your implants". See risks and complications.
Your daily routine
- Morning and night: brushTwo minutes, soft brush, fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush at the gumline, where the bridge meets the gum, top and inside.
- Once a day: under the bridgeInterdental brushes in the gaps around each implant, or super floss threaded under the bridge, or a water flosser along the underside.
- After meals if neededA quick rinse or water flosser if food collects under the bridge.
Tools that help
| Tool | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Soft or electric toothbrush | Outer, biting and inner surfaces | Non-abrasive toothpaste protects zirconia and acrylic |
| Interdental brushes | The spaces around each implant | Ask your hygienist for the right sizes |
| Super floss | Threading under the bridge | A stiff end makes it easy to thread |
| Water flosser | The underside of the bridge | The OHF says many find it easier with bridges, implants or limited hand movement |
| Single-tuft brush | Around the last implant at the back | Small head reaches awkward corners |
Professional care
- Regular check-ups and hygiene visits, as often as your dentist advises.
- X-rays from time to time to check the bone around the implants.
- Occasional bridge removal for a deep clean and to check screws; only your dentist should do this.
- Bring your implant details: brand, system and positions, so any dentist can find the right parts.
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Signs to get checked
- Bleeding when you clean, red or swollen gums.
- A bad taste or smell around an implant.
- Pain or tenderness around an implant.
- The bridge or an implant feeling loose.
- Chips, cracks or wear on the teeth.
The British Society of Periodontology lists looseness, pain, bleeding or a bad taste, and chipping or wear of the prosthesis as signs of complications to report to your dentist.
Common questions
Do I need to floss All-on-6?
You need to clean under the bridge and around each implant every day. Interdental brushes, super floss or a water flosser all work; your hygienist will show you which suits your bridge.
Is a water flosser good for All-on-6?
Many people find it easier. The Oral Health Foundation says some people find water flossers easier than string floss, especially with bridges, implants or limited hand movement.
How often should I see a dentist after All-on-6?
Regularly, as your dentist advises, often every few months at first. The British Society of Periodontology says implants require regular monitoring and professional maintenance.
Does the bridge ever need to come off?
Occasionally. The British Society of Periodontology notes that fixed prostheses sometimes need to be removed for professional cleaning. Only your dentist should do this.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation — Understanding dental implants (cleaning)
- Oral Health Foundation — Water flossers
- British Society of Periodontology — Patient FAQs: dental implants (how implants are maintained)
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
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