Congratulations on making the decision to get dental implants! Dental implants are one of the top choices to replace missing teeth. It’s no wonder they’re popular—these implants never need to be replaced and provide a sturdy, flawless-looking replacement to your natural tooth. Taking care of your dental implants is imperative for your new permanent tooth replacement. Although it’s extremely rare to have dental implants reject, the better care you take of them, the longer the crown on your implant will last. Here’s how to best care for your new dental implants.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
After your procedure to place the implant, it’s imperative that you follow your surgeon’s instructions. These care tips usually include avoiding hot or cold drinks in addition to not touching or disturbing the area in any way—this includes brushing. Avoid brushing the site for a few days, but keep the area clean and free of food particles.
The swelling should go away after a few days. Your surgeon may suggest you use ice as needed at first, then mild heat after 24 hours. If you notice any increase in pain and swelling after a few days, you should contact your oral surgeon’s office to evaluate the problem.
Continue to Brush and Floss as Normal
You’ll want to ensure you still brush and floss your teeth after your implant has healed. Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles and floss once a day. Some dentists suggest avoiding any type of abrasive toothpaste during brushing, as this can limit the lifespan of your crown.
An electric or manual toothbrush is fine, as long as you choose soft bristles. To protect the area around your implant, using unwaxed tape floss is recommended. Many people with dental implants find success with water flossers as well. As soon as your site has healed, you can begin to brush gently around the implant until your dentist places the crown. Once your crown is in place, continue to brush and floss gently around the site. Once it’s fully healed, flossing may require a bit more work to get underneath your crown, but flossing in that area can help keep your implant free of plaque and bacteria.
Stay on Top of Care for the Best Results
Continue to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings as recommended. Any buildup of plaque around your gumline could still cause an infection whether or not you have dental implants. Staying on top of your oral care will provide the best results for your beautiful new tooth!
Should you be experiencing any type of problem with your new dental implant, getting in to see your dentist sooner rather than later is always the best idea. Talk to your dentist about how often you should come in for checkups after the placement of your implant.
Dental implants are an excellent replacement when you’ve lost a natural tooth. To take care of your dental implants, get a good start by following your surgeon’s instructions. Continue to brush and floss around the site as normal after healing. Stay on top of care to see the best results and extend the life of your dental crown. Dental implants last for life, so take care of them!
