Caring for Your Dental Implants in North Delta
Dental implants are the most effective way to restore your smile. Permanent, functional, and beautiful, your smile with dental implants in North Delta will inspire confidence.
If you’ve been treated with implants, or if you’re considering a procedure, it’s essential to learn about dental implants aftercare. One of the biggest advantages of dental implants in North Delta is that they’re easy to take care of at home. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most from your new teeth.
Dental Implants Aftercare – Immediately After Placement
You will be provided with specific aftercare instructions after your treatment with dental implants in North Delta. In the days and weeks following surgery, it’s important to keep up a care and hygiene routine to support the healing process.
- Avoid touching the implant area with your fingers or tongue.
- Some bleeding can occur for up to 72 hours after surgery, but this should be minimal. You can bite down gently on a gauze pad for about an hour to control bleeding immediately after the surgery. This will ensure that a clot forms to prevent any serious bleeding.
- Avoid moving around too much, sit upright, and avoid smoking.
- Your dentist will advise how and when to brush your remaining natural teeth after surgery with implants.
In terms of pain, the worst parts occur during surgery. The good news is that you won’t feel the pain thanks to carefully administered anesthesia. After the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some discomfort and dull pain. Paracetamol is typically the best pain reliever to take in the first few days after surgery. NSAID drugs like Ibuprofen are typically avoided because they can interfere with osseointegration, which is the process of bone forming around a dental implant.
Pain and discomfort usually only last for the first four days after your surgery, after which point you should be able to cease the use of any pain medication.
Any dental implants aftercare instructions specific to your treatment should be followed carefully. If you have concerns at all during the recovery period, you can contact your dentist in North Delta for advice or assistance.
Long-Term Care of Your Dental Implants in North Delta
Once you’re through the healing stage and have your prosthetic teeth or dentures attached, you’ll need to follow a strict oral hygiene routine. This is similar to regular brushing with natural teeth. The key is to never skip brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
Dental implant treatment is highly successful. Rare cases of implant failure usually start with bacteria in the mouth, leading to infection. The best way to avoid this is to regularly brush, floss, and rinse your new teeth.
Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal, being sure to cover every tooth in your mouth, implanted or natural. Floss at least once a day around your natural teeth and implanted teeth. This will help to remove debris that can attract bacteria. You can rinse with an over-the-counter mouthwash to help remove any bacteria and debris missed by brushing and flossing.
Make Appropriate Changes to Your Diet and Lifestyle
Implanted teeth, whether considering individual implants or All-on-4 dentures, are functionally similar to natural teeth. Just like natural teeth, they can be damaged or compromised by diet and lifestyle choices. Avoid foods that are excessively hard, such as candy, seeds, and harder nuts. While you can enjoy some of these foods in moderation, you should be careful not to bite down into anything that could chip or crack your implants.
Excessively sugary foods and drinks should be avoided, as these promote bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to implant failure.
You should also limit alcohol in your diet. Alcohol can dry your mouth, leading to gum shrinkage and bacteria developing below the gumline. Alcoholic drinks can also be sugary, leading to increased bacteria in the mouth.
Smoking should be avoided altogether. You should abstain from smoking for at least two months after your surgery. Because smoking increases the risk of tooth loss and dental problems, you should quit altogether in the long term.
Following simple steps in your diet and dental implants aftercare will ensure that you can maintain your dental implants in North Delta.
Regular Dental Implants Aftercare with Your Dental Professional
One of the most important aspects of dental implants aftercare is to frequently visit your dentist. Checkups every six months will ensure that your implants are healthy. Checkups will also help to maintain your overall oral health. With regular visits, any potential problems will be detected early, making any treatments more effective and less complicated.
Like many others, you could keep your dental implants healthy for a lifetime. If you want to learn more, or if you’re ready to start with your consultation for dental implants in North Delta, you can book an appointment with the friendly team at Nordel Crossing Dental Centre.