The moment you see your new smile in the dentist’s office, you’ll wonder why you didn’t choose dental implants sooner. As reliable and long-lasting prosthetics that are designed to replace missing teeth, their longevity and functionality make them far superior to other forms of tooth replacement, such as dental bridges and dentures. But when it comes to taking proper care of your new teeth, it’s important that you understand what to do and what not to do. Keep reading to find out.
Dental Implants To Do: How to Properly Care For Your Teeth
Before receiving your custom restoration, you must first undergo dental implant surgery. Because this does require local anesthesia, opening your gum tissues, and placing titanium posts into the jawbone, you can expect there to be some post-operative instructions to follow.
If you want to ensure osseointegration and recovery are successful, you’ll want to remember to do the following:
- Get plenty of rest after your surgery, as you’ll likely still experience the effects of anesthesia.
- Make sure to take any prescribed medications as instructed to help minimize pain or discomfort.
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help speed up the healing process and reduce bad bacteria from remaining inside your mouth.
- Gently brush and floss but be mindful of your surgical sites.
- Stick to eating soft foods initially so that your implant posts are not irritated by the pressure of biting and chewing.
Once your new restoration is firmly in place, you’ll want to make sure that you:
- Brush twice a day and after meals to remove any food particles and bacteria that may try to burrow into the crevices of your smile.
- Choose non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching your dental implants.
- Limit your consumption of sugars and starches to prevent cavities from forming.
Dental Implants Not To Do: What to Avoid When Wearing Dental Implants
In addition to adhering to the instructions provided by your dentist about what you should do after receiving dental implants, there are also things you’ll want to avoid, such as:
- Engaging in strenuous activity or exercise
- Eating hard, crunchy foods, as this can harm your gums
- Smoking or using tobacco products, as this can decrease your chances of successful osseointegration
- Consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours, as it can make recovery more difficult and be problematic if mixed with antibiotics
- Using a straw or spitting immediately after surgery
- Using teeth to open packages or bottles
- Skipping any follow-up appointments
Taking care of your dental implants will help them to last decades and possibly even a lifetime, so make sure you’re following your dentist’s instructions so that you can enjoy the benefits of your more functional, beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Greg Riley completed his Master of Science degree at the University of Miami and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the Temple University School of Dentistry. For 20 years, he has been caring for his patient’s smiles, offering a wide array of dentistry services, one of which includes dental implants. For individuals with tooth loss, these permanent prosthetics can lead to life-changing results. With the entire process completed under one roof, patients can remain in one convenient location throughout the treatment process. If you are ready to say “so long” to tooth loss and hello to a new and improved smile, visit our website or call (561) 622-7243.