Taking Care of Dental Implants — Improve Your Oral Hygiene

With such a high success rate, you might think that dental implants are infallible. But without the right level of care, your dental implant could fail. Knowing what to do at different stages of your healing and recovery can help you to avoid post-operative complications and extend the lifespan of your dental implants. In this article, we are going to explain what to do when taking care of dental implants.

Taking Care Of Dental Implants: Important Notes To Take

Even though your dental implant is not subject to tooth decay, it is necessary to practice excellent oral hygiene in order to avoid complications like gum disease, decay to your adjacent teeth, and peri-implantitis.

Practising good oral hygiene

If tooth decay led to the loss of a tooth, improving your oral hygiene is essential to protect the teeth in your mouth. A dentist that offers free consultation can help you brush up on your dental hygiene skills if you have concerns. One of our biggest notes on oral hygiene for dental implants is to take your time and to make sure that you give every tooth attention.

Brushing 

You should be brushing for at least two minutes at a time, twice a day. This is the minimum amount of time it should take to brush the front and backside of each tooth. Concentrate on each tooth as you clean it, making sure you remove all the plaque. Use a soft-bristled brush and make small, circular movements with the brush, taking care to clean along the gum line, which is where plaque accumulates easily.

If you or your dentist is concerned about your brushing technique, consider getting an electric toothbrush with a head for dental implants. Electric toothbrushes do an excellent job at plaque removal and can improve your oral hygiene.

Flossing 

Flossing is an equally important part of your dental hygiene routine that needs to be done diligently when you have dental implants. If plaque is left to accumulate at the base of your dental implant, it can cause swelling and infection. This condition is called peri-implantitis and it can lead to dental implant failure. It can also affect your adjacent teeth and cause bone loss.

Dental check-ups

Even if you are very diligent about brushing and flossing, it’s essential to see your dentist twice a year for checkups, and even more so if you have a dental implant. Any early signs of infection or decay can be picked up early and treated. Visiting your dentist regularly could mean your dental implant lasts for the rest of your lifetime. 

Taking Care Of Dental Implants: Post-Operative Recovery

Avoid hot food and drinks

In the days after dental implant surgery, your gums may feel tender and swollen. Avoid hot food and drinks as these can interfere with healing and worsen any discomfort. Sipping cold water for the first 24 to 48 hours can help with swelling and discomfort.

Do not touch the implant site

Avoid touching your dental implants with your fingers or tongue during recovery as you could introduce bacteria to the site. A warm saline rinse is a great way to rinse your mouth and keep it clean after the first 24 hours have passed.

Eat gently

Good nutrition is integral to healing and recovery. Try to eat on the opposite side of your mouth for the first few days after getting dental implants.

Avoid hard, sticky foods that could injure your soft tissue.

Eat soft foods that don’t require much chewing like scrambled eggs, protein smoothies, and soft rice and pasta.

Avoid alcohol and cigarettes

Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal so it is advisable to quit a few weeks before your dental implant surgery and to avoid it during your recovery. Alcohol can also compromise your rate of healing and increase bleeding so it is advisable to avoid it. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.

Listen To Your Dentist

Your dentist will give you specific post-operative care instructions to follow, as well as instructions on when you need to return for check-ups. Make sure you follow all the instructions and attend your appointments.

Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Get a free consultation at your local dental clinic to find out if a dental implant is the right tooth replacement for you. If you need help taking care of dental implants, or if you would like to book a free dental consultation near you to find out more about the procedure, please call us at (02) 8203 8760.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Dental implant procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-implant

Dental Implant Guide: Costs, Process, Risks & More
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/implants