If you recently received dental implants, you may be excited about the new look of your smile. However, you may still be a bit concerned about the longevity of your implants. Dental implants are quite durable and are designed to last a lifetime. However, there are still measures that you should take to help ensure that your implants do not fail. Here are a few of them.
Follow the Post-op Instructions From Your Dentist
After the implants have been surgically placed in the bone of your jaw, your dentist provides you with post-op care instructions. It's important to follow the directions closely. You will likely be warned to avoid solid foods until after the local anesthetic wears off since you can easily injure the soft tissues of your mouth by eating while they are still numb. Additionally, your dentist may suggest an over-the-counter pain medication to help with any minor discomfort. They may also prescribe an antibiotic and advise you to rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash a couple of times daily.
Avoid Undue Bite Pressure
Your newly placed dental implants will take a few months to fully integrate with your jawbone. As a result, it is important that the devices remain in their proper position without being forced from their original placement. Biting on hard items, such as ice, can be detrimental to the longevity of a dental implant. Bruxism can also incite a large amount of pressure on a dental implant and force it from its original position. Thus, if you suffer from bruxism, be sure to wear a mouthguard nightly.
Avoid Tobacco Products
Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause gingival inflammation that may make it difficult for your implant wound to heal properly. In addition, the oxygen levels in the tissues may be reduced because of smoking. An adequate supply of oxygen is needed to promote the healing process.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
Although a dental implant cannot decay, the device can still be indirectly affected by plaque. As dental plaque builds up on the gums around an implant, the tissue may become inflamed, a condition called peri-implantitis may develop. Peri-implantitis can stop the progression of the healing process. To avoid the condition, as you brush your teeth, you should gently brush the area around the implant to remove any accumulated plaque.
To learn more about the care of your dental implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.
Share23 July 2021
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.