Dental Implant Aftercare

Why Is It Important To Look After Your Dental Implants?

You have probably invested a lot of money in having dental implants so it is only natural that you want to keep them strong and healthy for as long as possible.

With regular dental check-ups and good oral health, your dental implants can last for a lifetime. However, if you neglect your dental implants and let your oral health slide, you could find yourself suffering from pain and discomfort.

To ensure your dental implants last for as long as possible, it is essential to keep up regular brushing, flossing and proper dental implant care.

In this way, your dental implants will stay strong, durable and continue to compliment your natural teeth, creating a long-lasting, beautiful smile.

How to look after your Dental Implants?

A common question amongst patients who have underwent dental implant surgery is; "How do I look after my dental implants?" or. "How do I go about cleaning dental implants?".

These are good questions to ask! As a dental implant is not your natural tooth, it is only natural to wonder if normal brushing and flossing applies to your dental implants.

The short answer to that is; Yes!

By practicing good oral health, applying proper dental implant aftercare and seeing your dentist for regular professional maintenance, you can keep your new dental implants strong and healthy throughout the rest of your life.

Here are some advisable products that you can buy to help keep your dental implants clean and healthy for a long time:

An electric toothbrush as this is more effective for removing plaque & bacteria than a manual toothbrush. Make sure to brush under and around the dental implant crown.
Unwaxed dental implant floss for cleaning between your implants
Inter-dental brushes for reaching areas that are harder to get to.

Inadequate care can cause plaque to build up around your dental implants which can cause disease in the surrounding gum and bone, potentially leading to the loss of the implant.

Ensure this doesn't happen by applying the proper dental implant care needed to ensure your dental implants last a lifetime.

What immediate aftercare is needed to help your new dental implant fit in seamlessly with your natural teeth?

After any oral surgery, it is vital to keep the mouth as clean as possible until the bone is completely healed.

To help your dental implant recovery go smoothly and avoid complications, follow these steps for dental implant aftercare:

Drink cold beverages
On the night of your surgery, brush ‘with a gentle toothbrush
After the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth with salt water 2-3 times a day
Apply ice if required.

Initially, a soft diet is best for the first couple of weeks, after that you can slowly introduce harder foods. Rest assured, you will soon be able to enjoy all kinds of foods.

Cleaning Dental Implants

There is no special way to clean your dental implants, just make sure you care for them as well as you would care for your natural teeth.

Flossing with dental implant floss is highly recommend, just as it is with your normal teeth. Continue brushing dental implants as normal, at least twice a day. Using an electric toothbrush is recommended due to the softer approach it gives to brushing.

Only though good oral hygiene and regular brushing and flossing of your dental implants will you be able prevent diseases around the implants and ensure that they last for as long as possible.

Keep in Touch!

One of the most common mistakes dental implant patients make is not returning to their dentist for regular check-ups and dental implant maintenance after their initial implant procedure.

An effective dental implant aftercare routine at home, alongside regular appointments with your dental team, is essential for the long-term success of your implants. It’s very important to get your dental implant cleaned by a professional occasionally, ensuring no hard-to-reach parts are being missed by your own at-home oral routine.

Please contact us today if you need any more information on dental implant aftercare or if you would like to book a check-up to have our dentist take care of your dental implants.