Dental implants are a popular procedure for a reason. Not only can they provide the security of permanent, fully-functioning teeth for the rest of your life, but they also come with incredible success rates that lower the risk of additional oral health issues down the line. Of course, that doesn’t mean that your implants are impervious to the general wear and tear of life. That is why your trusted dentist in Irvine is going to show you 7 tips for dental implant care that can help your oral devices last longer and serve you better for many years to come.
7 Tips for Dental Implant Care
Don’t Use Harsh Cleaners
Some oral cleaning products, like mouthwash, are actually too abrasive for the teeth to handle. Not only can they stick to the enamel on your natural teeth, but they also get stuck in between the grooves of your implants and become impossible to get out. Not only does this feel uncomfortable, but it can also wear down the integrity of the implant itself.
Stop Eating Sticky Foods
Some foods are incredibly chewy, sticky, or hard, such as delicious candy, While it can be difficult to stop eating it, your dental implants will thank you for it. These types of foods can damage both your real and artificial teeth, causing irreparable damage that is really expensive – and painful – to replace. Avoid foods such as raw vegetables, hard candy, hard taco shells, crunchy bread, ice cubes, caramel, and dried fruit.
Check in with Your Dentist Often
Regular visits to your dentist can help ensure that everything is on the right track, including your dental implants. After the healing period from your implant procedure, you should not be faced with additional problems regarding the fit or functionality of the device. But it might be a good idea to continue checking in with your dentist who knows your dental history and can gauge whether or not the implants are continuing to work as intended.
Invest in Aftercare
Immediately following your dental implant procedure, your dentist will provide you with some important dental implant aftercare instructions that you will want to follow closely to ensure you heal correctly and quickly. Aftercare might require putting sponges in your mouth to control the initial bleeding, using an ice pack to reduce swelling, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor to mitigate any symptoms of pain. Make sure to avoid putting water in your mouth and rinsing, as it can damage the surgical structures. Make sure you are in contact with your dentist in case you have an emergency or you are concerned about the healing process.
Get a Soft Toothbrush
Just like some chemicals can be abrasive, toothbrush bristles can be as well. You don’t want to scrub your implants too hard, as it can damage them beyond repair. You can apply this advice to your natural teeth as well, as hard bristles will scrape off the protective enamel and cause them to weaken. Don’t use hard tools to clean your mouth; instead, buy a nylon toothbrush and be more gentle with your daily oral healthcare routine.
Don’t Forget to Floss
You might not think that flossing is a necessary part of that daily oral healthcare routine if your teeth aren’t real, but it is just as important to floss your implants as it is for your regular teeth. Plaque, bacteria, and other harmful food particles can build up on the teeth and grow on your implants, ultimately reaching your gums and getting into your bloodstream. Treat your implants as if they were your natural teeth, making sure to brush and floss them daily!
Stop Your Bad Habits
People with a history of daily smoking and drinking may have a more difficult time healing from the surgery than those who do not engage in these habits. Tobacco can slow the process of healing and make wounds worse, whereas alcohol inhibits the body’s ability to heal altogether. Your doctors will advise that you stop smoking and drinking several days – if not weeks – prior to your procedure and for several weeks afterward to ensure your body remains as strong as possible.
Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation Today
If you are interested in learning more about getting customized dental implants in Irvine, get in touch with our friendly experts at OC Dental Specialists today. We provide top-notch restorative dentistry services as well as consultations to help you create the perfect plan of care for a future of good oral health. Contact us today to start!