Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are used to support a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, bridge, or denture. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. Over the course of a few months, the bone around each implant fuses with the implant through a process called osseointegration. After the implants have healed and fused to the bone, they are ready to support prosthetic devices.

Aftercare Tips for Implants

After your dental implant procedure is complete, your surgeon will provide you with specific aftercare instructions. These instructions will outline what you need to do for the first few weeks after your surgery.

Food Restrictions

When caring for dental implants, patients should eat foods that are nutritious. Patients should avoid eating hard or crunchy foods while they heal from dental implant surgery. Hard food can damage the gums and cause the dental implant to loosen over time. Additionally, sticky foods can get lodged in the gum line and cause irritation to the gums. This can result in infection and other complications.

Oral Hygiene

Dental implants are easy to maintain – just brush and floss your teeth regularly like you would with your natural teeth. Make sure you add an antiseptic mouthwash to your routine to keep your mouth clean and infection-free. It’s also important to continue visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. During these visits, your dentist will check the implants to make sure they are still in place and that the surrounding gums are not inflamed or infected. If any problems are found during these regular visits, they will be fixed immediately before they have a chance to spread.

Take Medications on Time

Follow all instructions regarding medications and prescriptions given to you by your dentist. This could include antibiotics and other oral rinses.

If you experience any swelling or bleeding in your gums in the days following surgery, apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce pain. You can also take ibuprofen to help.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause a number of issues for your dental health, including problems with dental implants. Try to stop as soon as you can to get the most benefit out of your new implants. We recommend quitting at least two weeks before your procedure to allow enough time for your body to adjust to the lifestyle change.