How to Care for Dental Implants
Tips on Caring for Dental Implants
So, you just got dental implants. Congratulations! Dental implants are a great way to improve your smile and oral health. But, like all good things, they require some care and maintenance. Here are a few tips on dental implant care:
Immediate Care After Your Dental Implant Procedure
Aftercare is critical for successful dental implants. It’s important to follow our dentist’s instructions on caring for your mouth and the surgical site; this will help you avoid infection and speed up the healing process.
Some tips for immediate care after your dental implant procedure include:
- Do not disturb the surgical site. Avoid touching or rinsing near the surgical area.
- Light bleeding is normal, but if it persists, call our office.
- Take it easy. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. This will help to keep the area clean and reduce swelling.
- Eat soft foods for a few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could irritate the surgical site.
- Use an ice pack. Apply an ice pack to your cheek for 20 minutes to reduce swelling.
- Brush and floss carefully. Be gentle when brushing and flossing around the surgical site.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and alcohol can negatively affect your dental implants and overall health, slowing healing and increasing the risk of infection. If you smoke, we recommend quitting altogether. If you can’t stop, try to avoid smoking for at least 72 hours after surgery. As for alcohol, it’s best to avoid it for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods
Sticking to soft foods for a few days after your dental implant procedure is best. This will give the surgical site time to heal. After a few days, you can slowly add some harder foods back into your diet. However, there are some foods you should avoid altogether. Sticky foods can pull at your dental implants, and hard foods can break them. So, it’s best to steer clear of things like:
- caramel
- gum
- hard candy
- ice
- nuts
Avoiding these foods can ensure the health of your new implants.
Continue Dental Hygiene Routines
Good oral hygiene is essential for dental implant success. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily, which is essential for your implants and natural teeth. If you wear dentures with your implants, remove them and brush those with a denture brush daily. Good hygiene habits ensure the longevity of restorations you may have and avoid further problems such as gum disease.
Floss Daily
It’s important to floss around your dental implants just like your natural teeth. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from around the implant crown, and this helps reduce the risk of infection and keeps your smile healthy. Flossing is a simple task you can do anywhere: in the car, watching TV, or at your desk. So there’s no excuse not to do it! Stash dental floss in your purse, backpack, or car, so you always have it.
Avoid Abrasive Products
When brushing your teeth, be sure to use low-abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste can damage your implants and cause irritation. Instead, look for a toothpaste labeled “gentle” or “for sensitive teeth.” These will be less likely to damage your implants.
Also, use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Hard bristled toothbrushes can also damage your implants and cause irritation.
Wear a Nightguard or Mouthguard
If you grind your teeth at night, it’s essential to wear a mouthguard. Teeth grinding can damage your implants and cause other dental problems. A mouthguard will protect your implants and help you avoid costly repairs.
If you play sports, it’s also essential to wear a mouthguard. A fall or collision can damage your implants. In addition, wearing a mouthguard will help protect your investment and keep your smile looking great.
Visit Our Dentist Regularly
It’s essential to see our dentist regularly, even if you have dental implants. We recommend coming in for a cleaning with our dental hygienist and checkup at least twice a year. This will help us ensure your implants’ health and catch any problems early.
Catching problems early is key to maintaining your dental implants. The sooner we can treat a problem, the easier and less expensive it will be.
Keep Your Implants Looking and Feeling Amazing
Dental implants are a great way to improve your smile. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. By following these simple tips, you can keep your implants healthy and looking great for a lifetime.
Please call our office if you have any questions about caring for your dental implants. Our implant dentist and team are here to help you.