How to Maintain Healthy Implants
After Dr. Abedini places your implant, the success of your restoration mostly depends on you. The foods you eat, the toothpaste you choose, and other factors all help to determine how long your implant will last.
Explore our guide to learn some valuable tips for post-op implant care.
The Week After Implant Surgery
The first few days to a week after surgery is the most important phase of your implant treatment. During this time, it’s crucial that you treat your teeth and gums with caution to avoid setting your recovery back.
The following guidelines are especially important to be aware of:
- Don’t eat tough, chewy, or sticky foods — Tough foods such as steak or bread, along with sticky or chewy foods like gummies and taffy, can infect your surgical site and ruin your implant. Stick to soft foods and clear liquids for at least a few days after surgery.
- Don’t spit or use a straw — Forceful spitting or suction put pressure on your implant, potentially breaking the blood clot and creating a painful dry socket.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke — Drinking alcohol and smoking both dry out your mouth and reduce your blood flow, impacting the natural healing process. Resist the temptation to indulge in either of these habits for at least a few days.
- Rinse with salt water — Starting the day after surgery, rinse your mouth out with warm salt water two to three times per day to reduce inflammation. It’s especially effective to rinse after meals.
Long-Term Implant Care
After you’ve recovered from surgery, caring for your implants becomes relatively simple. Follow these easy tips to keep your implant healthy for many years to come.
Oral Care Routine
Dental implants are resistant to decay, but you still can’t neglect your surrounding teeth and gums. If the tissue around your implant gets infected, it can lead to a condition called peri-implantitis and cause your implant to fail.
To prevent this from occurring, brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove bacteria and other debris from your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash will also help keep your smile healthy.
Choosing the Right Dental Products
Dental implants can be cleaned just like natural teeth. Unlike other restorations such as dentures, no special cleaning products are necessary to maintain your implants. However, it’s beneficial to keep a few things in mind when choosing your oral care products.
For optimal results, Dr. Abedini recommends the following:
- Toothbrush — To avoid scratching your implant or irritating your gums, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Toothpaste — Avoid toothpaste brands with abrasive ingredients, such as those made for teeth whitening and smokers.
- Floss — Nylon-coated floss is best for working around your implant.
- Mouthwash — To avoid drying out your mouth, use an antibacterial mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol.
Visit Dr. Abedini for Check-Ups
The final step of keeping your implants healthy is scheduling check-ups with Dr. Abedini at least twice a year. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and free of decay, these visits allow him to examine your implant and identify any potential issues that could threaten its success.
Call 949-610-8799 to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Abedini today.