How to care for your new dental implants
Dental implants are the most effective way to improve your smile and restore confidence. And to avoid dental implant issues, you must understand how to care for them properly.
The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene for Teeth Implants
Dental implants, unlike natural teeth, are not composed of enamel (the thin outer layer). As a result, cavities do not form because there is no enamel for the plaque to erode. This does not imply that excellent oral hygiene is irrelevant.
Bacteria in plaque accumulate near the gums and cause gum disease when you neglect oral health. Bleeding of the surrounding gum tissue is a typical symptom of dental implant issues. Mucositis is an ailment in which bacteria build up around the teeth and cause discomfort.
Problems that might indicate you’re approaching dental implant failure include:
- Inflamed gums
- Swollen gums
- Gum recession
- Loosening implants
- Chewing problems
- Pain or discomfort around the gums
Caring for Your Dental Implants
What kind of care does a dental implant require? Dental implants don’t need much special treatment. Taking good care of your teeth and gums is not tricky; it truly comes down to maintaining your mouth and gum health. Because mouth and gum maintenance is something you should be doing daily, they are low-maintenance dental fixtures.
Here are some dental implant care recommendations to help them last longer.
Post Surgery Dental Implant Care
Dental implants take anywhere from six to twelve months to recover completely. However, if you don’t treat them correctly from the start, they can take longer to heal. Only soft foods should be consumed for the first 5-7 days following surgery. During this time, avoid spicy food and hot liquids.
It’s also important not to drink alcohol for the first 2-3 days after dental implants. This is because alcohol might hinder the healing process, resulting in delayed recovery. As a result, your dentist may recommend restricting yourself from drinking until your teeth implants have fully healed. So you don’t end up confused and wondering, “How long does it take to recover from dental implants?” after six months.
Brush and Floss Daily
You should brush your teeth twice daily as part of your dental hygiene regimen. A combination of a soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive paste is recommended. This method gently removes plaque around your teeth and implants without harming your gums or causing any discomfort in the mouth.
Use an interdental brush if you can’t reach with a regular toothbrush. This tiny brush is built to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and implants.
You should also floss at least once a day and brush. Dental floss can get into areas that even an interdental brush cannot access. If you’re having trouble with regular dental floss, try using floss threaders instead.
Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to finish your oral care routine. It will ensure that any germs in your mouth are eliminated and rinsed away. It will also improve the strength of your natural teeth’s enamel.
Another plus is that all of the brushing, flossing, and rinsing will leave your mouth feeling clean.
Avoid Hard-to-Chew Foods
Dental implants do not give you 100 percent chewability, so there are certain meals that you should avoid to keep your teeth healthy. If the food is difficult to chew (not only hard foods in general), as with popcorn, raw carrots, nuts, potato chips, or hard candy, don’t put it in your mouth. If you must eat an apple, cut it into slices first (don’t bite straight through it).
The more time we spend with implants, the more natural they feel, and the more we use them for things other than chewing. Biting our nails, opening bottles, and holding hairpins when both hands are occupied are examples of this.
Dental implants are not intended to be utilized as tools (nor, for that matter, are your natural teeth). Dental implants aren’t inexpensive, so you shouldn’t use them beyond chewing.
Quit Smoking
It’s critical to quit smoking since it can negatively affect recovery. The side effects of tobacco use on your mouth and teeth may range from gum disease to full-blown periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss in the long run.
Of course, quitting smoking is not easy; you will have to make significant changes in your life. You may, for example, avoid people, locations, and other stimuli that might cause urges or symptoms of withdrawal. You can also spend time with non-smokers or engage in physical activity to battle withdrawals and cravings.
