Getting dental implants is an exciting step. You may have waited some time for the opportunity. With implants, you can look forward to a healthy, attractive smile without missing or damaged teeth.
Caring for your dental implants is not difficult, but following your dentist’s guidelines is a must for their longevity and your oral health. This blog shares expert tips that will help your implants stay healthy in the early weeks and in the future.
Caring for Your Implants in the Early Weeks
- Eat a Nutritious Diet: Given your healing implants, ensure that you eat as balanced a diet as possible. Choose healthy foods that will not irritate your gums or interfere with healing. Not eating enough can disrupt the healing process.
- Start with a Soft Diet: Start with a liquid diet and gradually increase to firmer foods as you feel comfortable.
- Avoid Chewing On Your Implant: Do not chew anything with your implant until your dentist determines it has completely healed.
- Straws: Avoid straws on the day you have your surgery. The sucking action could produce suction in your mouth that disrupts your healing.
Basic Tips for Keeping Your Implants Healthy and Strong
- Brushing: Brush twice daily, ensuring that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid brushing too hard. As the area heals, you may use an interproximal brush to access food and plaque around the implant.
- Flossing: Floss each day, taking care to handle the area gently. You may want to use a floss threader to access your implants.
- Attend All Scheduled Dental Appointments: Your implant dentist will need to keep a close eye on the healing process to avoid issues and ensure a long, useful life for your prosthetics.
What to Avoid After Receiving Dental Implants
- Do Not Eat Hard or Crunchy Foods: Avoid any food that could become lodged in the socket until your gums have completely healed and your dentist tells you these foods are safe to eat.
- Avoid Spicy Foods: Spice can irritate the healing gums and can cause significant discomfort. After the gums heal, you can resume your regular diet.
- Avoid Smoking: In addition, smoking or any nicotine use impairs healing by interfering with blood flow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How long do dental implants last?
A dental implant anchor could last a lifetime with successful healing. However, the crown on top may need periodic replacement every 10 to 15 years.
Can dental implants fail if I don’t care for them correctly?
While over 95 percent of all implants succeed, there is a slight chance of peri-implantitis or implant failure. Your implants’ success depends on how well you care for them.
At Jacobs and Thatcher Dentistry, we specialize in dental implants. We can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted and help you through every step of the surgical process. Please contact us at our Sun City Center, FL, office to schedule your consultation today.