How to Properly Care for your Dental Implants

You may be nervous if you have scheduled a dental implant surgery. Although you may be concerned, dental implants can actually help you improve your quality of life by restoring your confidence. With proper care, the right type of dental implants can last a decade or more. However, it is critical that you practice proper dental hygiene in order to get the most out of your dental implants.

Caring for dental implants

For the next 24 hours following the dental implants, you may experience some pain and swelling. This is completely normal, but there are a few things you should do right away to ensure that your dental implant surgery is a success.

Bite down on the gauze which the dentist provides you with. Make sure that you bite it down for at least 20 minutes to stop the bleeding.
Try to get some rest for the next 12 hours and make sure that you keep your head elevated by placing a few pillows under it. Avoid exercising on the day you are home from surgery.
Place an ice pack on the swollen side of your face to reduce swelling. Repeat every 15 minutes, then take a 30-minute break.
Begin with a soft diet and make sure to chew softly and carefully, while also taking a Vitamin C supplement to promote healing.
Take the prescribed medications and antibiotics given to you by your dentist.
Do not rinse your mouth for the next 24 hours.
Avoid probing on the implant’s side; otherwise, you risk dislodging the blood clot, which could lead to infection.
If you need painkillers make sure that you take Ibuprofen to ease your discomfort

Long term care for dental implants

If you want your dental implants to last a long time, you should never think of them as a permanent solution to tooth loss. It is essential that you practise good oral hygiene and have regular dental check-ups. If you neglect your dental implants, plaque and tartar can form, which can lead to gum disease. If the disease is not treated, it can progress to peri-implantitis, a periodontal disease.

Peri-implantitis can develop over a five-year period, and symptoms include bone erosion, which can lead to implant failure.

Tips for caring for your dental implants on daily basis

After receiving dental implants, you may want to switch to an electric toothbrush, making sure to use it on sensitive mode to be gentle on your teeth and gums. If you want to use teeth whitening on your implants, read our blog about whether you should go with an in-house teeth whitening solution or DIY.

Tip #1: Change your toothpaste

You might also want to switch to a toothpaste that helps keep your teeth and gums clean. However, if you have dental implants, you may need to change your toothpaste routine. If you don’t like them, they might fade away quickly. Check to see if your toothpaste contains any abrasive ingredients, such as baking soda or stain remover. These can erode the implant’s surface.

Tip #2: Use implant friendly floss

It is critical to floss on a daily basis if you want to get rid of the bacteria in your mouth. If you do not floss your teeth, your enamel and implants may deteriorate. When using toothpaste with your implants, however, it is critical that you use the correct type of toothpaste. Make sure to look for one that is specifically designed for dental implants. A water flosser is also a good idea for hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.

Tip #3: Do a daily visual inspection

Although going to the dentist once or twice a year is fine, you should still carry out additional inspections on a regular basis. This means that if you notice any signs of redness or irritation, you should consult with your dentist.

Dental implants are a safe and permanent method of tooth replacement, but in order to get the most out of your investment, make sure you follow all of the dental care tips listed above.

Our dentist can help restore your smile

You don’t have to look any further if you’re looking for highly recommended dentists. Not only are our Hervey Bay dentists skilled, but they will also be able to restore your smile and confidence. Make an appointment for a consultation so you can learn more about suitable dental implant procedures.