Dental implants can dramatically restore the look and feel of your teeth, especially if your teeth are missing, chipped, damaged or broken.
In recent years, tooth implants have become a fantastic option for giving patients back the perfect appearance and improving their confidence.
However, in order to optimise results and make the most of your new look, proper aftercare is paramount when it comes to ensuring a successful and long-lasting result. After all, if you do not take care of your new dental implants, you will instantly put yourself at risk of running into a whole host of different complications.
We’ve rounded up a helpful guide outlining our top tips on aftercare for your new implants and how you can enjoy your new teeth for years to come.
Immediate Aftercare
Once your dental implant procedure has been completed, it is essential that you implement an immediate aftercare plan in order to ensure the very best results.
With this in mind, after your surgery, you should avoid the following:
✓ Do not undertake any strenuous exercise for the first few days after surgery
✓ Avoid hot food and drinks for the first 24 hours
✓ If you have been given a course of antibiotics, ensure that you complete the full course
✓ Try not to disturb the area with your tongue or fingers
✓ Avoid alcohol and smoking for two weeks
✓ Avoid brushing the surgical site for the first few days
✓ Keep your mouth as clean as possible
✓ Avoid swimming
✓ Avoid flying
And remember, as with any type of surgery, there’s always an increased risk of developing an infection. With this in mind, you should always look out for any signs of infection and seek the necessary advice and treatment.
After all, dental implants can last a lifetime if they are cared for in the right way.
Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
Implementing an effective daily implant care routine is integral to the success of your treatment. After all, practising good oral health and following a recommended dental implant aftercare routine allows you to keep your new dental implants strong and healthy, on a long term basis.
As part of your daily dental implant care routine, you should:
✓ Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably with an electric toothbrush as this is more effective for removing plaque & bacteria
✓ Use unwaxed dental implant floss for cleaning between your implants
✓ Always attend any follow-up appointments with your dentist
✓ Failure to follow an implant care routine can result in a build-up of plaque, which can then result in gum and bone disease, leading to loss of the implant in severe cases.
Professional Dental Implant Care
As part of your professional dental implant care routine, it’s paramount that you attend all follow up and maintenance appointments, the first one being approximately 7 to 14 days after your treatment to have your stitches removed.
During this appointment, your dentist will not only check the healing process, but they will also check that everything is as it should be.
Long-Term Care and Maintenance
Long term care and maintenance of your dental implants is incredibly important, especially for long term success.
And the key to enjoying your dental implants for as long as possible is to adopt a long term care and maintenance plan for optimum results. For example, it’s incredibly important to take the time to practice good oral hygiene, attend regular appointments with a dental specialist and always look out for early signs of infection, as early detection means a quicker recovery and less damage done.
Tips for Ensuring Dental Implant Longevity
We’ve rounded up our top tips for ensuring optimum dental implant longevity. These include the following:
✓ Maintain good oral hygiene
✓ Attend regular dental check-ups
✓ Always follow all post-operative instructions
✓ Avoid harmful habits
✓ Address any concerns promptly
✓ Brush your teeth, twice daily
✓ Floss twice daily and always use a mouth rinse
✓ Do not smoke
✓ Eat a healthy and balanced diet
✓ Avoid chewing on hard items
Boutique Dental 23 in Wigan offers a range of dental care services performed by a team of expert dentists. Whether you need to fix a chip or close an unwanted gap, they have the perfect solution.
To arrange a consultation or for more information about dental implants, get in touch with the friendly team today.
