Tips to Care for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are a new treatment option for those who are missing a tooth (or several teeth). They are used with dentures and replacement teeth as a way to hold them in place comfortably. They are placed directly into the jaw so they are very stable.
Because they are a permanent/fixed solution, it is important that you take proper care of them so that they last as long as possible.
Taking Care of Your Dental Implants When You First Get Them
Keep the sponges in your mouth. This will help you to control bleeding after your surgery.
You also want to rest for the first few hours after surgery. It is recommended that you elevate your head for eight to twelve hours. If you need to move, take it slowly during this time.
You should apply ice to your face in fifteen-minute intervals. This will help with any post-operative swelling.
Take pain medications (and antibiotics) as prescribed. Your dentist may recommend antibiotics to control infection after the procedure. You also should take the pain medications on time so that your mouth doesn't get too sore afterward.
Don't rinse your mouth out for a full twenty-four hours. If you rinse too soon, you may experience bleeding again because you are irritating the clots in your mouth.
Eat only soft foods for the first few days while your mouth heals.
Taking Care of Your Dental Implants for the Rest of Your Life
Only use a soft nylon toothbrush. Hard brushes can scratch your implants so it is important that you buy a new brush that will be gentle on your implants.
Don't forget to floss. Many people are scared to floss after they have any sort of dental work. However, the truth is that it is more important than ever. You are going to need to get rid of as much plaque as possible. Otherwise, it will just build up and cause problems with your implants.
Avoid certain foods. Though dental implants are almost as strong as your real teeth, you should avoid sticky and hard foods. These foods, such as hard candies, ice, and other tough to chew items, may damage your implants (as well as your other teeth). If you want your implants to last, you are going to want to avoid these as much as you can.
Avoid smoking and alcohol. Though smoking and alcohol aren't good for your overall health, you really need to avoid them when you first get implants. Both of these things will increase your chance of infection directly after your procedure. Those who drink may notice that they have more bleeding after their procedure. Smokers also lose bone in their jaw, which means that their implants won't have anything left to hold on to. Their implants may fail after years of smoking because their bone is just too brittle.
Make dental visits a priority. Just because you got your dental work completed doesn't mean that you can forget about the dentist. In fact, it is almost more important now. You need to visit the dentist every six months to ensure that your dental implants last for the rest of your life.
When you first get dental implants, you are going to need to take extra care for the first day or two. You need to rest and take your medications as prescribed. You should keep the sponges in your mouth to control bleeding and don't rinse during the first twenty-four hours because it may cause bleeding. You are going to need to eat soft food for a few days while your gums heal! Once your mouth is healed, you can't forget about your dental health. You need to brush and floss regularly. You also shouldn't miss any appointments with your dentist. Routine cleanings and examinations will make sure that your mouth stays in top shape for the rest of your life.
If you are in need of dental implants, don't hesitate to contact us today. We will be glad to schedule an examination to discuss your options so that you can have the smile that you have always wanted!