Dental implants may be artificial restorations, but this doesn't mean that they don't require care. You must care for your implants to maintain proper dental health. Failure to do so can give rise to various dental issues that may affect your natural teeth and cause implant failure. With this in mind, here are three long-term care tips for your new dental implants.
Adhere to the Post-Op Instructions
Once you get dental implants, your orthodontist will provide a list of post-operation instructions. You must adhere to these care instructions to improve the outcome of the treatment. Below are some essential post-op care procedures.
- Avoid hot food and drinks after the procedure, as they can stress the mouth tissue
- Avoid solid foods during the first few days of recovery
- Do not smoke tobacco within the first few weeks after the procedure
- Avoid sticky foods as they can get stuck in the gums and cause infection
- Do not use your implants to break hard foods such as nuts
Dental implants require a few months to fuse with the surrounding bone in the mouth. Failure to follow the above instructions can cause the bone to fail to fuse with the implant, leading to treatment failure.
Clean the Dental Implants Daily
Although dental implants are artificial restorations, they are placed in the gums and surrounded by mouth tissue. Therefore, regular cleaning is paramount to the long-term success of the treatment. Failure to clean the implants can cause food particles to get stuck in the gums. Consequently, you may suffer from gum disease or infection, which may cause the treatment to fail.
Brush and floss your teeth as you normally do to get rid of particles lodged in the gums. If you have full-arch implants, ask your dentist about the best way to floss your teeth. Avoid highly abrasive toothbrushes, as they can wear down the artificial teeth. Instead, use a small-headed toothbrush with soft bristles. Avoid tooth whitening products because they contain abrasive chemicals that can wear down your teeth.
Schedule Annual Check-Ups with Your Dentist
When maintained correctly, dental implants can last a lifetime. However, dental issues such as infection, tooth decay, plaque, and gum inflammation can cause the implants to fail. If you have gum disease, the gums may recede and expose the prosthesis.
Don't wait for underlying dental conditions to affect your implants. Discuss any concerns with your dentist. Schedule bi-annual check-ups, so your dentist can examine your implants. The sooner you detect oral health issues, the quicker you can treat them and protect your implants.
Keep these long-term care tips in mind to boost the longevity of your new dental implants.
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