Did you know that more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and more than a 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth? Around 15% of these get dentures made while many now a days are opting for dental implants. Dental implants are getting more and more popular because they replace the roots of the teeth and are kind of permanent solution for teeth loss. Moreover, you can get the dental implants to look just like your natural teeth.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Well dental implants are no different from your natural teeth when it comes to caring for them. As far as immediate care is concerned if you have just had a dental implant surgery then make sure you drink only cold drinks and avoid eating anything till the anesthesia wears off. Avoid eating or drinking anything hot for at least 24 hours post the dental implant surgery and do not disturb the area with your fingers or your tongue. Also avoid any strenuous exercise post the dental implant surgery for at least 2 days or 48 hours. We are sure your dentist would have already advised you on these.
Now coming to long term care of dental implants these are some of the things you must do to take care of them.
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush. You can switch your toothbrush with one that has nylon bristles. Nylon bristles are soft and pliable hence they are softer and gentler on your teeth. Completely avoid any hard bristled toothbrush as they can be abrasive and can potentially damage the surface of the implants. Some dentists recommend using electric toothbrush. Brush around and under the implant crown. Make sure you replace the toothbrushes every 2 to 3 months.
- Floss your teeth at once a day as you would usually do if not more. It is very for plaque to get accumulated around dental implants hence flossing becomes very important part of oral hygiene routine once you have had a dental implant surgery. Now a days you get special flosses for dental implants in the market. Study them for advantages and disadvantages before picking anyone. Water flossers work particularly well for cleaning between implants and are much easier to use than traditional floss. Use them at low speed. Read all about water flossing in our blog Water Flossing.
- Avoid eating hard and sticky food. Food items like ice, caramel, hard candies, carrots, apples, breads should be avoided. These food items can harm your dental implants and you would not want that would you now?
- Avoid using any product on your teeth that can be abrasive or erode your teeth. Choose your toothpaste and mouthwash carefully. Choose sensitive cleaning products. Avoid those which have strong and intense flavors like mint, cinnamon, peppermint etc. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol. Read more in our blog – How to select the right mouthwash?
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both these habits are harmful for implants. Dental implants take time to heal sometimes even 6 months hence it is best to avoid these products. Alcohol can slow down the healing while smoking can be bad for the health of the teeth. Also avoid teeth whitening substances.
- Teeth grinding and clenching can be detrimental to dental implants. If you suffer from these conditions speak to your dentist and start using a nightguard to protect your dental implant.
- Drink a lot of water to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps remove bacteria and food particles stuck in between the teeth. It can breakdown the acids produced by these bacteria. If you happen to suffer from dry mouth drinking more water will bring relief.
- Go to your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup and a thorough dental cleaning. Read our blogs titled- Importance of regular teeth cleanings and Deep cleaning vs regular cleaning of teeth.
Post dental implant surgery care is easy. Dental implant surgery is safe and not only does it restore your teeth but helps maintain the health of the jaw bone. It is because of these reasons that dental implant surgery is becoming more and more popular. According to American Academy of Implant Dentistry over 3 million people alone in US have dental implants and this number is rapidly going up. A note of caution here that dental implants are not suitable for everyone so if you are thinking of getting one make sure you check with your dentist if it is the right choice for you or not.
We hope the above given tips help you maintain your dental implants.
Did you find this interesting and informative? If yes, we recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.
We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. Just few minutes away from Fort Worth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities.
About the Author
Dr. Rashi Muthal, your Saginaw Dentist, is a graduate from USC school of Dentistry at Los Angeles and has over 15 years of experience in the field of Dentistry. She prides herself on treating people with compassion, honesty, dignity, and respect.
Dr. Rashi is a member of multiple dental professional organizations including American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Fort Worth Dental Society and American Orthodontic Society.
Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well.
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