Oral Health Tips: How To Take Care Of Dental Implants
Many people get dental implants in Castle Rock every year to replace missing or damaged teeth. They help you restore your looks and support your bone structure. It helps that they come with artificial teeth that look like natural teeth and are surgically placed into the jaw.
Dental implants need just as much care as natural teeth. They may be made of different materials from your natural teeth. But being careless with their care could lead to damage or loss of the implants.
Follow Immediate Aftercare Tips
It’s normal for you to experience pain and swelling after the surgery. Bite on the sponges placed in your mouth to control the bleeding. Hold an ice-pack against your face after every fifteen minutes to numb the pain.
Avoid moving around and keep yourself elevated for the first eight to twelve hours. Book a cab or get someone else to drive you home. For the first 24 hours, consume only soft foods and beverages but avoid rinsing. Take medicines prescribed by your dentist as instructed.
Use Soft Bristle Nylon Toothbrush
You may need to buy a new toothbrush after getting implants. A hard-bristled toothbrush can scratch and damage their surfaces. Go for soft bristle nylon toothbrushes. They are pliable and don’t scratch the surface.
Brush Twice Daily
Brushing twice every day is important for oral health. Brushing after getting up gets rid of the bad breath and bacteria you’ve built up overnight. Brushing before sleeping removes the bacteria that has built up during the day and reduces the risk of plaque buildup. Many dentists also recommend brushing half an hour after a meal.
Make sure to brush under and around the implants. You may need an angle-necked brush or an interdental brush with a slim head.
Buy Low-Abrasive Toothpaste
Toothpaste with abrasive ingredients can damage the acrylic surface and wear the glaze on porcelain. You should use toothpaste without ingredients like baking soda or stain-removing agents. Your dentist may prescribe a paste specifically formulated for dental implants.
Be Careful About What You Eat
You need to be even more careful about what you eat than you were before the surgery. Hard and sticky foods can damage the implants and the opposite tooth as well. You should avoid ice, caramel, dried fruits, hard candies, steak, etc.
Avoid Smoking And Alcohol
You must avoid smoking and drinking alcohol after getting implants, especially for the first six months. During this period, your gums heal from the surgery. Smoking and drinking can slow the recovery process.
Schedule Dentist Visits
Dental implants don’t guarantee freedom from all oral health issues. You need to consult a dentist as many times as recommended by your dentist. They can diagnose issues and offer solutions for dental care in Castle Rock.
Floss Every Day
Flossing can prevent many dental issues, especially those related to gums. It removes food particles and germs stuck between the teeth while preventing plaque from building up.
Dentists might suggest flosses or flossers designed specifically for implants. They usually come with stiff ends and fuzzy middles. You should use it after brushing to get the fluoride into hard-to-reach areas.
Water flossers are commonly recommended for people with dental implants. It usually comes with a rubber tip or other stimulators for sensitive gums. You should use it before brushing to avoid blowing away the fluoride. They are also great for all-on-four implants.
Don’t Use Metal And Plastic Tools
Metal oral care items might scratch the implants while plastic items might embed residue in them. You should avoid using these tools and opt for softer alternatives.
Protect Implants From Grinding Or Clenching
Grinding or clenching our teeth can damage dental implants. Your dentist may offer a protective guard to prevent damage from grinding, clenching or gnashing your teeth. You should wear it during sleep even if you feel like you have control over it.
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