How to Maintain Healthy Implants
After Dr. Abedini places your dental implant, the health of your new tooth mostly depends on you. Your diet, the oral care products you choose, and more will all help to determine how long your implant lasts.
Explore our guide to learn some crucial tips on post-op implant care.
The Week After Implant Surgery
The first week after your surgery is the most important phase of the implant process. To avoid setting your treatment back, it’s essential that you keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Don’t spit or use a straw — The force created when you spit or drink through a straw puts pressure on your implant site. This can create a dry socket, causing you pain and delaying the healing process.
- Don’t eat tough, sticky, or chewy foods — It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods and clear liquids for at least a few days after surgery. Tough foods such as steak and bread, as well as chewy or sticky foods such as caramel and taffy, can ruin your implant. Once you’re fully healed, you can resume your normal diet.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke — Drinking alcohol and smoking are both activities that dry out your mouth and reduce your blood flow, which can interfere with your natural ability to heal. You can return to these habits after your implant has integrated with your jaw, but it’s crucial to resist the urge for at least a few days.
- Rinse with salt water — Rinse your mouth with salt water two or three times per day to reduce inflammation. This process is especially effective if you rinse after meals.
Long-Term Implant Care
After your mouth has healed and your implant is stable, caring for it becomes much easier. Follow these simple tips from Dr. Abedini to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for many years to come.
Oral Hygiene
Dental implants are resistant to decay, but you still need to take care of your surrounding teeth and gums. If the tissue around your implant becomes infected, it can lead to peri-implantitis and result in implant failure.
To prevent this from occurring, brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. This will remove plaque and other bacteria from your teeth, keeping your smile healthy and shining. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash is a great way to complete your oral care routine and eliminate any leftover bacteria.
Choosing the Right Dental Products
Dental implants can be kept clean just like your natural teeth — with daily brushing and flossing. Unlike dentures, you won’t need to buy any special cleaning solutions for your implants or rely on messy adhesives to keep them in place.
When choosing your oral care products, we recommend the following guidelines:
- Toothbrush — Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid damaging your implant fixture or irritating your gum tissue. You can use an electric toothbrush if you prefer, as long as the bristles are soft.
- Toothpaste — Stay away from whitening and smokers’ brands of toothpaste, as these contain abrasive ingredients that can harm your implant.
- Floss — Nylon-coated floss is best for working between and around your implant. An interdental tool is also helpful for cleaning spots in your mouth that are hard to reach.
- Mouthwash — Use an antibacterial mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol to avoid drying out your mouth.
Visit All Smiles Dental Group for Check-Ups
The final step of maintaining healthy implants is visiting Dr. Abedini for check-ups at least twice a year. During these visits, he’ll remove excess plaque from your teeth and gums, while also examining the condition of your implant.
Contact our practice today and schedule your free consultation. We look forward to meeting you.