Dental implants are a great way to replace lost teeth and the dental implant industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The global dental implant market was estimated to be worth 5.08 billion USD in 2017.
If you are considering getting implants then you probably have a lot of questions. One of your main concerns may be how to take care of your implants once you have gotten them.
There are many steps you can take to ensure your dental implants are well taken care of so you can have a smile that you can be proud of. Here are some dental implant care tips that will assist you in your quest for that beautiful smile.
1. Dental Implant Care Begins Before Installation
You want your implants to not only look good but to last a long time. In order for this to become a reality, you must start taking the necessary precautions before the implants go in.
If you are taking prescription medication for blood thinners then you need to inform your dentist prior to getting implants. Your primary care physician will likely have to lower the dosage in the days leading up to the surgery. If you continue to take a heavy dose of blood thinners before surgery then you will experience a lot of bleeding during the implant procedure.
2. Ask About Painkillers and Antibiotics You Can Take Before Implants Are Put In
There are medications that can actually help you during the whole implant process.
Ask your dentist about painkillers and antibiotics that you can take before surgery. If you are eligible to take them then you should have an easier installation.
3. Bite On Sponges
Once the implants have been put in, your dentist will place sponges in your mouth.
It is important that you keep biting down on these sponges for at least three hours to get any bleeding to stop. The sooner you begin to heal the better.
4. Eat Right
For the first two days after surgery, you should not eat any hard foods. These can hurt your gums and damage the implant site.
Stick to porridge, soups, soft fruits, and bread. You may encounter some pain even when you eat these soft foods. If you find that you have discomfort then take any pain relievers your doctor gave you before you eat to preempt the pain.
5. Floss Daily
You may believe that since you have an implant that you no longer need to floss. This is certainly not the case.
The opposite is true. Due to the fact that you have implants, your gums need extra special care. If you don’t take care of your gums you put yourself at risk for dental implant failure.
Implant failure is often a result of periodontal disease which occurs as a direct result of gums and teeth not getting the proper care.
6. Continue To Use a Fluoride Toothpaste
Use of a fluoride toothpaste is essential. While implants are made of man-made materials and cannot decay. Your other teeth are not.
You still need to brush twice a day even if you have a lot of implants. In fact, you should brush your implants as you would your regular teeth. Make sure you remove all food particles from them.
Plaque can still stick to dental implants and cause problems for your other surrounding teeth. Plaque and other forms of bacteria can also cause gum disease. This is why if you can, you should go beyond the standard twice per day brushings and brush after every meal.
7. Choose The Right Toothbrush
The type of toothbrush that you use to brush your teeth is important once you have had a dental implant. Use a soft nylon toothbrush whenever possible.
If you prefer to use an electric toothbrush you should make sure that the bristles are soft. Pay particle attention to the crevices of your implant when brushing as this is where food will often accumulate. You can use an interdental brush to get to those hard to reach spots.
If you can, buy toothpaste that has been designed for sensitive teeth.
8. Try Out Oral Irrigators
Do your research online and you will find a good oral irrigator. Oral irrigators are useful for removing plaque around your implants. They are also useful for preventing gingivitis.
However, they are not all created equal, so it is essential that you thoroughly research to find the ones that are safe and effective for use with dental implants.
9. Gum Stimulators Can Help
You may want to try out gum stimulators. Gums stimulators are used to strengthen gum tissue. They do this by increasing the circulation of blood and oxygen to the gums.
It does all of this while reducing the risk of inflammation and bleeding in the gums. Gum stimulators will not harm the gums because they are made with rubber tips.
10. Dental Checkup
Even if you do all of the things listed above perfectly, it still will not exempt you from making that all-important six-month visit to your dentist for a check-up.
This oral health check-up is important because from time to time implants do fail. At your first six month visit following the installation of your dental implants, your dentist will check for bone loss. The health of your gums will also be checked and special equipment will be used to clean your implant.
Final Thoughts
Getting dental implants is a major step in the right direction if have lost teeth and want to keep your smile looking beautiful. However, you must bear in mind some dental implant care tips if you want to prevent dental implant failure.
Make sure that you take proper care of your gums and teeth at all times by using the proper toothbrushes and toothpaste. You should also ensure that you eat the right foods to prevent damage to your implants.
After you have had implants do not neglect your six-month checkup since this is vital for assessing your overall dental health and the state of your implants.
If you would like more information on dental care, please visit our blog.
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