Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them once they’re in place. The fact is that, just like your natural teeth, your dental implants need to be looked after.
The Importance of Post-Surgery Care
The days and weeks after your dental implant procedure are the most important when it comes to dental implant care. During this time, your body will be busy trying to repair gum and bone tissue at the implant site. What’s more, your jaw bone will begin to fuse with your implant; This is vital to the success of your dental implant as it creates the strongest possible support for your replacement tooth.
You should feel back to normal a few days to a week after your dental implant procedure. However, as it is a sensitive period, it’s important to:
- Leave stitches – if you’ve had some stitches, they’ll dissolve on their own. Make sure you never attempt to remove them.
- Treat discomfort – use ice on your face if there is any minor swelling and over-the-counter pain medication if you experience any discomfort.
- Be gentle – if you try to inspect the implant site and pull at your cheeks and mouth, you can cause damage. Be gentle while you’re still healing.
- Rinse with salt water – after 24 hours, salt water rinses can be used to help manage swelling and pain. It can also remove bacteria and debris, thereby helping to prevent infection.
- Brush your teeth – you still need to brush your teeth, even on the day of surgery. However, make sure you are very gentle, avoid the surgical site itself and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Don’t overclean – it’s common for people to clean too much after implant surgery. Make sure you give the implant site time to heal.
- Avoid sucking and spitting – actions like sucking and spitting can irritate the healing process during the first couple of days. Again, be gentle.
- Consider your diet – avoid fizzy sugary drinks and harsh acidic beverages and choose a soft diet. Be extra careful during the first 24 hours as your mouth may still be numb.
- Don’t smoke – smoking increases the risk of infection and slows down the healing process as it restricts the blood flow to bone and tissue at the implant site.
Of course, these are just some suggestions. The best implant dentists in Sydney will be able to give you personalised advice on aftercare and make sure your implants get off to the best possible start.
How to Care for a Dental Implant
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime which makes routine maintenance and proper care fundamental. Some of the advice that is given for immediate post-procedure care is relevant here too. Ultimately, it’s all about creating an effective oral hygiene routine and sticking to it.
To keep your implants healthy, you’ll need to brush and floss twice a day. Make sure that you floss properly and take your time, so you’re sure to get rid of buildup in hard-to-reach places around your implants and replacement teeth. You’ll then need to schedule regular checkups with your Bexley dentist to make sure there are no hidden problems.
Finally, your diet and lifestyle are the other big factors that will make a difference to the longevity of your implants. If you eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid smoking, your implants will thank you for it.
How Long Will Your Implants Last?
Caring for dental implants is simple and straightforward, but you do need to take care of them. Just like with your normal teeth, you’ll need a good oral hygiene routine and to make regular visits with your dentist for checkups. Also, remember, if anything doesn’t feel right, make an appointment straight away. Peace of mind is priceless and if there is a problem, it can be sorted out before it escalates. Get all that right, and your implants may well last a lifetime.