7 Tips for Caring for Your Dental Implant

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7 Tips for Caring for Your Dental Implant

August 1, 2021

After tooth loss, your dentist may recommend getting a dental implant. Compared to other procedures for missing teeth such as bridges and dentures, dental implants offer a more natural, stable, and long-term option. If well cared for, implants can serve you for a lifetime.

What are Dental Implants?

Implants are artificial teeth that are used to replace a missing tooth. Implants are surgically implanted in the empty socket of the missing tooth through surgery. Among other qualifications, you must have healthy gums and enough jawbone to qualify for dental implant surgery.

To determine whether you’re eligible for the procedure, please visit a dentist near you for a dental examination. If you’re searching for a cosmetic implant dentist in 95610, contact New Vision Dentistry.

If you’ve already had dental implants or are interested in getting them, it’s essential to understand how to care for them properly. This article gives you 7 tips that you should use to care for your dental implants.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

  • Use the Right Products

Not only for dental implants, but you should also use the right dental products for other dental structures. This involves using the right toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouth rinses, and other dental products.

It would be best if you get recommendations from your dentist on the right oral products to use. For the toothbrush, consider using a soft-bristled nylon brush to avoid damaging the implant and other oral structures such as teeth, tongue, and gums. Similarly, avoid harsh dental products

  • Brush and Floss Daily

While an implant can’t develop a cavity, poor dental hygiene can increase the risk of developing certain dental problems such as gum disease, affecting the implant. Brushing and flossing daily, at least twice, can help to care for your implants while promoting your overall oral health.

  • Make the Right Lifestyle Choices

Besides the regular dental practices such as brushing, your lifestyle matters as well. Poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol, and eating certain foods can trigger issues with your dental implants. Your dentist is likely to tell you about any lifestyle choice that can affect your implants and other oral structures.

  • Avoid Damaging Habits

Besides poor dental hygiene, another reason why implants can fail is due to trauma, possibly caused by excessive pressure. Ways through which an implant can get damaged include a car accident, sports injuries, bruxism, eating hard\sticky foods, and using your teeth to open cans.

To protect your implants from trauma, consider wearing a mouth guard if you suffer from bruxism and during sports. Similarly, avoid eating hard and sticky foods, including:

  • Caramel
  • Dried fruits
  • Ice
  • Nuts
  • Hard-shell tacos
  • Potato chips
  • Hard candy
  • Carrots
  • Steak
  • Avoid Strenuous Activities

Since dental implants involve surgery, it may take some time to heal completely. Immediately after the procedure, avoid strenuous activities such as sports and exercises. You should also avoid any habits that involve sucking, such as drinking hot drinks and smoking.

  • Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups and Cleaning

Besides your daily dental routine, such as brushing and flossing, you should see your dentist frequently for professional dental check-ups and cleanings. During the checkups, the dentist will check on your implants for any damages. It’s recommended that you schedule at least two visits per year to the dentist’s office. Are you looking for dental implants in Citrus Heights? Contact New Vision Dentistry.

  • Immediate Care Tips
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Dental implants can take up to 6 months to heal. Immediately after the procedure, your dentist will give a few aftercare instructions that you must follow to promote faster healing and recovery.

  • Use ice cubes to manage the swelling.
  • Use the prescribed medications as directed.
  • For 24 hours, avoid mouth rinses.
  • Avoid any strenuous activities.
  • Eat soft foods.
  • Don’t eat too hot or cold foods to prevent sensitivity.
  • Avoid sucking of any kind.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking.
  • Don’t poke the area around the implant.
  • Contact your dentist if you experience any complications such as severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or any other complications.

Final Verdict

Thankfully, after dental implants heal, they look and function like your natural teeth. This means that no special care will be required to care for them—just the regular dental routine and at least two visits per year to the dentist for dental check-ups and cleanings.

Are you looking for a dentist in Citrus Heights? Contact New Vision Dentistry to schedule your appointment today.

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