5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Dental Implants

No matter where you are in your dental implant process, knowing how to take care of your new teeth is vital to ensuring the lifespan of your smile. While these prosthetics are designed to last a lifetime with proper care, it is up to you to make it happen, which is why a dentist is here to provide insightful tips on dental implant aftercare. Although your investment in time and money is high in the beginning, you can make it worth your while by doing all you can to keep your fully restored smile looking and feeling its best.

Manage the Pain with the Right Solutions

As soon as you begin to feel the effects of your anesthesia wearing off, you’ll need to start managing the pain. It is normal to experience soreness and discomfort following your implant surgery, which is why you should expect to take pain relievers as instructed. Do not wait until the pain is too severe. Start taking Tylenol or another similar medication when you initially start to feel discomfort.  

Stay On Top of Your Oral Hygiene Routine

On the evening of your implant surgery, you’ll need to brush your teeth like normal but be mindful of your implant. Your mouth can harbor bacteria that can cause an infection to develop, which is why you must keep it clean and free of germs and harmful particles. Rinsing with a warm glass of salt water after every meal can help to cleanse the surgical sites and flush out any food particles. It is best to avoid using an electric toothbrush or water flosser. Stick to the traditional dental instruments and be sure to adopt a thorough and routine oral hygiene regime going forward. This will ensure your implants avoid infection and last a lifetime.

Forgo Bad Habits

While recovering from implant placement, you will need to quit smoking, using tobacco products, and drinking at least until you are completely healed. It is best to find ways to give up these bad habits altogether, but if you cannot, you will need to stop for at least a few months. The reason is that nicotine constricts the blood vessels in your mouth, which can make it virtually impossible for your implants to fuse with the bone and tissues. As a result, unsuccessful osseointegration can lead to implant failure. Also, alcohol should be avoided for up to a week after your surgery because it can hinder the fusing process.

Be Mindful of Your Diet

After your surgery, you will need to stick to eating soft foods for several days or more. Chewing or applying too much pressure to your implants can increase pain and make the recovery process much more difficult. Hot foods and beverages should be avoided for at least one week, but you will need to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your salivary glands working at an optimal level. By choosing to eat soft, healthy foods, you can ensure that your body will receive the necessary nutrients to maintain a strong immune system, which is necessary for successful osseointegration.

Maintain Follow-Up Appointments

You are expected to keep your follow-up appointments with your dentist after having your implants put into place. This ensures that your new prosthetics are healing well, and no problems are developing. Should they discover any issues, these visits can help to reduce risks and keep your smile moving in a positive direction.

By keeping these helpful tips in mind, you can expect your new dental implants to heal nicely and provide a strong, stable, and fully functional smile for the future.

About the Author
Dr. Darrick Castleberry is a trusted dentist in Houston who is a graduate of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. After completing a General Practice Residency with the U.S. Navy, he now oversees a team of professionals at The Castleberry Center. Completing the Misch Surgical Program from the Misch International Implant Institute, he continues to help restore smiles with the help of dental implants and offers individuals the opportunity to embrace a better quality of life as a result. If you are suffering from tooth loss and want to make your investment in dental implants last, visit our website or call (281) 320-9600.