One of the most vital parts of dental implant surgery is planning. Here at Waters Family Dentistry, we specialize in dental implant restoration. Our goal is to give you concise and genuine advice. We want you to feel prepared for your dental implants.
We know this process can be nerve-wracking. That’s why we want you prepared. Our aim is for you to feel better about your restoration and achieve the best success.
5 Dos and Don'ts After Dental Implants for Best Results
Even though dental implants are stronger than natural teeth, you still need to take excellent care of them. Good care reduces your chances of returning to surgery. We want to provide you with the knowledge needed to care for your implants. We recommend the following:
- Brush your implants twice a day, especially after meals. Brush gently and focus on hard-to-reach areas, such as where the gum and tooth meet.
- We advise the use of a water flosser or generic floss to clean areas where plaque, sticky biofilms, and inflammation can occur.
- Rinse your mouth with prescribed antibacterial rinses twice a day or with warm saltwater. Be careful not to spit aggressively after rinsing.
- Do not smoke. Smoking is a common cause of poor restoration. Nicotine and tar can slow healing and cause bleeding.
- Do not rush back to normal foods. Eat soft, creamy, and liquid food like soup, pudding, apple sauce, or mashed potatoes. After the healing period, you can resume your normal diet.
Proper mouth care is essential after dental implant surgery for healing.
Signs of Dental Implant Problems
Dental implants usually have a high success rate, but are not guaranteed. If you experience any of the following, contact your dentist immediately. Remember, the healing process varies. Some discomfort is normal in the days after surgery.
- Pain or discomfort near your implant, jawbone, or gums may be a sign of infection. Act quickly to prevent the infection from spreading to your whole mouth.
- Bleeding from your gums or former tooth site could be a sign of infection. You may need antibiotics to treat infected areas.
- Persistent swelling or redness around the implant site is another area of concern for infections.
- Sensitivity or pain when chewing, eating, or with hot and cold foods could mean nerve inflammation. If you feel pain while eating, your implant may be failing due to an infection in the bone.
If you have pain or signs of implant failure, contact Waters Family Dentistry immediately.
Contact Us at Waters Family Dentistry
For questions about implant restoration in Anderson, SC, or urgent care, call us at (864) 226-6278.