Ensure Success with the Right Care
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, but did you know you can affect the success of your treatment? Certain factors such as what you eat right after your surgery, your oral hygiene routine, and what dental products you use can all impair your initial and long-term recovery.
Dr. Robinette and our team have put together this guide to help you throughout your post-op journey.
Immediate Post-Op Care
Within the first few days after your procedure, we recommend you consider these postoperative tips to ensure a smooth recovery:
- Don’t spit or use a straw because these can apply pressure on your surgical site and hinder the healing period.
- Stick to a soft food diet such as smoothies, jello, or pureed foods so particles don’t injure the area.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco because these are blood thinners and can slow down healing.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times a day to help reduce inflammation and clean around the implant.
Consider Their Long-Term Care
Once you’ve successfully made it through the first week of recovery, thinking about how to ensure long-term success for your implants is crucial. Here are some suggested actions to take to ensure your smile remains healthy and beautiful.
Maintain Good Oral Health
Some patients believe that since their implant post and restoration aren’t real, they won’t get infected or decay. Although this is true, and the implant and prosthetic won’t be directly affected, the supporting tissue and jawbone that supports them can.
If your gums around a dental implant get infected, it can lead to a condition called peri-implantitis. This is known to cause bone loss, which will eventually loosen your dental implant and result in failure.
In order to avoid peri-implantitis from occurring, you should remove these infection-causing bacteria with a thorough hygiene routine. Brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash are all important steps in your oral care regimen.
Using the Right Implant Products
Dental implants can be cleaned the same way as you do with your natural teeth, making your oral hygiene routine simple and efficient. However, there are certain products you should use to avoid harming the implant or restoration.
- Toothbrush — Choose a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching your gums and restoration
- Toothpaste — Find a toothpaste that doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients which are common in toothpaste for smokers and whitening
- Floss — Use a nylon coated floss or one designed specifically for dental implants
- Mouthwash — Avoid any that list alcohol as an ingredient because it can dry out your mouth
Return to Dentistry by Design for Your Biannual Check-Ups
Visiting Dr. Robinette for your regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning is another pivotal factor in the success of your implants. At these appointments, we’ll examine your mouth and new teeth to ensure there are no issues and everything is just right.
If you’re experiencing any problems throughout your recovery, don’t wait to call for help. We can help repair any complications with your dental implants before things progress, so you can live with your healthy, new smile for years to come.