Unlocking the Secret on How to Care For Your Dental Implants

Caring for dental implants is essential to ensure their longevity and a beautiful smile. Here are some implant aftercare tips:

• Follow a Regular Oral Hygiene Routine:
  Dental implants are a long-term solution for those missing a tooth or multiple teeth. Like real teeth, it’s essential to clean your teeth implants. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss between titanium implants. This promotes good oral hygiene and ensures that your dental implants remain in good condition.
  
  
• Use a Soft-bristled Toothbrush
  Using the right toothbrush prevents you from damaging your dental implants. We suggest using a soft-bristle toothbrush specially designed for dental implants. They gently clean your dental implant and ensures your gum tissue stays healthy. Avoid hard-bristled brushes; they can be too harsh on your gums and may scratch the dental implant surface.
  
  Electric toothbrushes are also an option. However, if they’re not within your budget, you may use a soft manual toothbrush. Use soft and light brush strokes to clean your implant.
  
  
• Use Non-abrasive Toothpaste
  A low-abrasive toothpaste is recommended for gentle care and dental implant maintenance. Abrasive toothpaste may scratch your dental implants, and scratching may lead to plaque accumulation. Toothpaste containing ingredients such as baking soda or activated charcoal may be too harsh for your dental implants.
  
  
• Use an Antimicrobial Mouthwash
  We recommend gargling with an antimicrobial mouthwash as part of your oral hygiene practices. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash reduces plaque buildup and prevents bacterial growth and bad breath.
  
  Use mouthwash as directed by your dentist. Mouthwash isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth. It’s ideally used afterwards. If you have periodontal disease, consult your dentist before using an antimicrobial mouthwash.
  
  
• Avoid Sticky or Hard Foods
  Be mindful of the food you eat after dental implant surgery. Avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods. The tough texture could traumatise your healing gums or cause the implant to dislodge.We recommend sticking to a soft food diet while your artificial tooth is healing to prevent complications. Also, rinse your mouth with warm water after meals.
  
  
• Quit Smoking
  Smoking is terrible for your overall and dental health because it exposes your body to more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic. It can damage the cells in your lungs and increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and other severe health conditions.
  
  Your dentist will recommend quitting smoking for 4-6 weeks before your surgery. This is to prevent complications from arising during the procedure. However, we recommend kicking the habit altogether.
  
  

  Smoking harms the healing process of dental implant procedures. It leads to an increased risk of failure and infection. Smoking can also reduce blood flow by constricting your blood vessels, impairing your body’s healing ability.

  If you smoke, see a qualified health practitioner to assess your risk of complications in getting dental implants.

• Visit your Dentist Regularly
  Staying up-to-date on your dental appointments is key to post-implant care. See your dentist regularly after your surgical procedure. Schedule an appointment with your dentist every six months for a comprehensive checkup. Your dentist will perform checkups and a professional cleaning routine to keep your implants healthy.
  
  
• Wear a Mouthguard
  Dental implants can fail due to physical trauma. This can be caused by constant exposure to intense pressure. Wearing mouthguards cushions these extreme pressures giving you long-term protection.People that participate in contact sports could benefit from wearing a mouthguard. It can prevent your implants from getting knocked out during intense physical activity.
  
  
• Manage Teeth Grinding
  If you recently had dental implant surgery, managing your teeth grinding after the procedure is essential. Bruxism can cause damage to both the dental implant and the surrounding bone.Pay extra attention when brushing or flossing around your implant if you suffer from bruxism. This helps reduce wear on the dental implant surface and prevent bacteria buildup, which could lead to gum inflammation or infection at the implant site.
  
  

  Seek professional help if you experience teeth grinding, as this could indicate a deeper underlying issue causing stress or anxiety.
  
  

• Avoid Alcohol and Sugary Beverages
  Alcohol, when consumed in excess, can lead to dry mouth, reducing salivary flow. This increases the risk of bacterial buildup around your implant and other oral tissues, leading to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Additionally, alcohol may negatively interact with your pain medication.Sugar-sweetened beverages have a similar effect.
  
  They can leave your implant susceptible to further damage from plaque and bacteria in the mouth. If left unaddressed, it may lead to inflammation of gum tissues and implant failure.
  
  

• Clean Your Implant Tooth with Interdental Brushes
  Using interdental brushes to clean the spaces between dental implants and natural teeth is vital to maintaining dental health. These tiny brushes are designed to fit between each individual implant, ensuring the most challenging areas around your implants are thoroughly cleaned.
  
  Interdental brushes help remove plaque and food particles. Regularly using interdental brushes help reduce the risk of gum inflammation, gum disease, and long-term implant damage caused by dental implants.
  
  

• Use Water Flossers
  Water flossers use a pressurised stream to dislodge food particles and debris from the teeth. The water pressure helps clean the gums, removing built-up plaque on the gum line. Water flossers also help reduce inflammation of the gums, which can be caused by plaque buildup.
  
  Oral irrigators are an effective way to remove food particles and debris from hard-to-reach areas around the implant. This device is a great addition to regular brushing and flossing as it can target plaque buildup in places that a toothbrush or floss can’t easily access.
  
  
• Avoid Using Metal Instruments
  Metal instruments should be avoided when cleaning dental implants. An example of this is a metal tongue cleaner. This can scratch or damage the implant’s surface, weakening its structural integrity over time. Metal instruments can also cause corrosion and bacteria growth on the implant if not sterilised after each use.
  
  
• Follow a Nutritious Diet
  Eating a healthy diet with adequate vitamins and minerals is important for maintaining implant health and promoting healing. Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and fish, are especially beneficial.
  
  Getting enough protein from lean meats, beans, and nuts can also help promote the healing of the surrounding tissue around implants. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining gum health and can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes.

  Also, avoid hot foods for the first couple of weeks after implant treatment.

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  Practice Good Overall Health Habits
  Practising good overall health habits is essential for maintaining the health and longevity of your dental implants. Getting enough sleep and reducing stress can keep your immune system functioning properly, aiding in the healing process of your implant site. Additionally, regular exercise helps increase blood flow throughout the body, supporting healthy tissue regeneration around the implant.