Are you considering dental implants? But to have a great smile and reap the benefits of dental implants, you need to take good care of them.
Dental implant care starts the minute you leave the dentist’s office. So, what do you need to do to care for your implants?
It’s important to remember that an implant is not a real tooth, but a medical device. Implants and their restorations are tooth replacement systems that require ongoing and rigorous maintenance and care to ensure long-term success. The soft tissues around the implant/crown/denture must be cared for. The soft tissue is the “guardian” that prevents food and bacteria from getting in and/or damaging the implant in the bone. Good quality soft tissue helps prevent chronic infections and implant problems.
1. Use a soft nylon toothbrush
After dental implants, you may need to change your toothbrush. This is because nylon toothbrushes have flexible bristles that are more suitable for implants. Be sure to avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles, as they can injure the mucous membrane around the implant. You should avoid using any metal tools to clean your mouth after implants.
2. Avoid sticky/hard foods
Eating hard/sticky foods can damage your implants.
Some foods to avoid after implants include:
- caramel;
- dried fruits;
- hard candies;
- potato chips;
- carrots;
- apples;
- crisp breads, such as French bread.
If you do eat hard foods, it is better to grind them. And after eating sticky foods, you should definitely brush your teeth.
3. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Quitting smoking and alcohol is a good idea for your overall health. However, it is especially important to avoid these substances when you have dental implants. Remember that dental implants take about 6 months to heal, so smoking during this period can be especially harmful. Additionally, drinking alcohol has been shown to slow the healing process after dental implants, so it should be avoided as much as possible.
4. Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Dental implants can make your smile look better, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of your oral health. You should schedule dental visits at least twice a year. With proper care and regular dental visits, your dental implants can last a lifetime.
How to Care for Dental Implants Immediately After Your Procedure
After your implant is placed, you will be able to go home as soon as you feel ready. You will need to rest until the anesthetic wears off, which may take several hours. Most implants are placed under local anesthesia, but if you had general anesthesia or sedation, you will not be able to drive and will need someone to drive you home.
You may experience some discomfort after your dental implants are placed.
After dental implant surgery, some patients may experience redness of the gums and a small amount of blood in their saliva, which is normal for the first 24 hours. Minimizing physical activity immediately after surgery can help prevent bleeding and throbbing. You can stop heavy bleeding by placing a gauze pad directly on the bleeding wound and biting on it for 30 minutes.
Slight swelling and, in some cases, bruising are normal. To minimize this, you can apply ice to your cheek near the surgery site for the first day after the procedure. You should use ice as much as possible for the first 36 hours after your dental implant.
Here are some things to do after the procedure:
- Avoid excessive movement and keep your head elevated for the first 8-12 hours after surgery;
- Apply an ice pack to your face every 15 minutes if necessary;
- Eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours;
- Take your medications as directed by your doctor;
- Avoid rinsing your mouth with mouthwash for the first 24 hours.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or smoking for 10 days after surgery to avoid damaging the blood clot.
Follow these steps carefully in order.
Day 1 (day of surgery/first 24 hours after surgery):
- Do not rinse or brush your teeth.
- Do not eat until the numbness has completely gone.
No hot liquids for the first 24 hours. It is best to start with cool liquids, but avoid sucking through straws. Once the numbness begins to wear off, move on to soft foods, but avoid chewing on the surgical area. A soft diet is recommended for 4 weeks. A cool, pureed diet (such as smoothies) is best for the first day.
Days 2 and 3:
Brush your teeth twice a day. Be careful around the surgical site. Start by gently rinsing with warm water, without making any vigorous, vigorous movements. Repeat the rinsing after meals. If you have been prescribed a solution, rinse as directed.
Do not brush your gums. Avoid scratching the surgical site.
Days 4 to 42 (6 weeks). Same regimen as days 2 and 3, but rinse your mouth more vigorously. Continue rinsing and cleaning in this way for 6 weeks.
Months 4 to 8. You will need to wait until the implant has fused to the jawbone before you have a prosthetic (crown, bridge, etc.) placed. You will need to have regular checkups to make sure your implant is healing well.
Dental care. Starting on the second day, brush your teeth 2-3 times a day. Be careful with incisions. A temporary denture should not be placed in the implant site for at least 3 weeks, unless otherwise advised.
Call your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms. If fever or swelling persists for more than a few days, contact your dental surgeon immediately.
Very rarely, unexpected things can happen, such as an adverse reaction to the anesthetic, infection, or excessive bleeding; and there is a very small chance that the bone around the implant will not heal, causing the implant to become loose.
Contact your dentist if you experience:
- throbbing pain on the day of surgery;
- numbness at the implant site for more than 12 hours after surgery;
- pain or swelling around the implant for more than 10 days after surgery;
- bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes, even after biting on a damp gauze pad;
- the implant feels loose.
Implant systems require regular dental care and maintenance by your dentist. This includes cleaning the area, taking x-rays, and sometimes tightening or replacing parts of the implant system.
An implant-supported restoration is a screw-on-screw system that requires annual maintenance. It is extremely important to see your dentist as soon as possible if the crown/denture becomes loose.
Your dentist should also evaluate your bite, as overloading the implant (biting too hard on the implant) can lead to implant rejection.
Caring for dental implants is fairly simple. If you have any questions about caring for your dental implants, let your dentist know. And if you need to schedule a dental implant procedure, contact YAREMA DENTAL today.