If you have just invested in dental implants it is in your best interest to look after your oral health to ensure your implants will last you as long as possible. With the right care, dental implants can last you a lifetime and by practising good oral hygiene you could avoid complications that may lead to implant failure.
In this article we discuss how you best look after you new pearly whites immediately after a dental implant procedure, but also the long-term oral hygiene and care required for a long-lasting result.
Immediate aftercare tips
Dental implant aftercare should begin immediately after your procedure is completed. One of the most important aspects of immediate dental implant aftercare is avoiding hot food or drinks as the heat can exacerbate the stress on your mouth tissue. You want to give your tissue some time to heal so it’s best to stick to drinking cold water for the first few days.
Keeping your mouth clean and free from bacteria is crucial in your recovery, and in oral hygiene overall. You do this best by keeping your fingers out of your mouth and to rinse with a saltwater solution occasionally. This works as an antiseptic solution and will reduce bacterial activity in your mouth.
After a dental implant procedure, brushing around your remaining teeth should be continued as normal. However, your mouth may be too sensitive for a regular toothbrush in the first week so you should invest in a small headed toothbrush with extra soft and flexible bristles. In general, waiting a few days before brushing around the dental implant site is fine. The same applies to flossing.
Maintaining your dental implants
Just as with your normal teeth, dental visits (when required) and maintaining a rigorous brushing and flossing routine can help you keep your dental last longer and look healthier.
By brushing your teeth morning and night you’ll remove the plaque bacteria and excess food particles that can cause cavities to your normal teeth. Antibacterial toothpaste will also help to minimise plaque and flossing will keep the gap between the teeth free from bacteria as well as keeping your gums healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet with minimal sugars and no smoking will also help keep your overall mouth health intact.
Here are some tips to increase your dental wellness:
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking
- Use dental floss daily
- Avoid smoking
- Rinse your mouth with fluoride or mouthwash
- Visit your dentist when needed
- Consider dental sealants
- Avoid frequent snacking and drinking
- Eat tooth-healthy foods such as vegetables
- Consider fluoride treatments and antibacterial treatments
- Chewing xylitol-based gum
The risks with poor oral hygiene
If you don’t look after your teeth properly after a dental implant procedure, you are running the risk of harmful bacteria multiplying on the surface of the implants. Over time, this can lead to inflammation in your gums, also known as Mucositis. If Mucositis is left untreated, it can cause bone loss around the implant and eventually lead to what’s called peri-implantitis – a destructive inflammatory process affecting the tissue surrounding dental implants.
Peri-implantitis can cause bone loss, and possibly implant failure. It is caused primarily by the bacteria that gradually gathers around dental implants and gum lines and can lead to a breakdown of the jawbone. The best way of preventing this from happening is to take good care of your oral health immediately after your procedure and adopt a good oral routine morning and night.
GC Dental Solutions in Helensvale
With proper brushing and flossing and visits to your dentist when you need to, your teeth and gums will remain healthier for longer after a dental procedure. If you live in the northern Gold Coast, the best place to go for dental services and treatments is GC Dental Solutions. Our local Helensvale dentists will make you feel at ease and will provide you with quality dental care at every visit.
GC Dental Solutions is your local dentist with friendly and experienced staff to make your visits relaxed and comfortable. Call us today on 07 5573 1368 or enquire online to schedule your initial consultation.
