The Ultimate Guide To Caring For Your Dental Implants
Dental implants have helped many people who have lost their natural teeth. They’ve also been a fantastic breakthrough for dental workers. But they’re not without their maintenance. Your Berwick dental implants still need to be taken care of in certain capacities, depending on the type of implant. So in today’s blog, we’re going to be covering the basics on how to care for dental implants.
After the procedure
The first few months after your procedure are the crucial months as that’s when your bone is healing around your implants. You will most likely experience some discomfort in the week after the surgery, which is completely normal. You’ll also have to stick to a soft-food diet as to not put too much pressure on your new implant(s).
Be sure to follow any advice and instructions that your dentist gives you right after the surgery. You will have to stick to a strict brushing routine. You may also have to use a specific mouth wash as recommended by your dentist. It is important to note that you should ideally stay away from things like smoking, as these activities can have serious repercussions to your health and also to your dental implants.
After the first three months or so, your dentist will schedule an appointment with you to see how you’re going and to assess your oral hygiene situation. They may give you a further dental care plan to continue to follow if all is going well. It is imperative that you follow what your dentist recommends. Failure to do so could result in oral health issues of varying degrees, as well as future dental work that could be costly.
Caring for them at home
Dental implants will seem just like normal teeth when you clean them. They need to be brushed thoroughly at least twice a day and should be flossed once a day. Some implants may have areas that are harder to brush than natural teeth. Your dentist will be able to help you with techniques on how to get to the hard-to-reach areas.
Once your dental implants have completely merged with the bone in your mouth, you will be able to go back to eating normal foods. A common misconception about implants is that the type of food that you can eat is limited – but this is not true. There is no limitation to the type of food you can eat or chew with dental implants once they’re fully healed.
Dental implants – because they are artificial teeth – are not affected by sugar and bad foods. This means they do not suffer from decay or degradation in that respect. They are also impervious to cavities. However, they still must be cleaned as plaque and food build-ups can still cause problems in your mouth, particularly for your gums.
Another thing to look out for is adjacent teeth suffering from poor oral hygiene or poor treatment. Although your dental implant may be impervious to decay, your regular teeth are still very much susceptible to it. This is why it is essential to stick to a strict brushing regiment – as well as flossing and mouthwash. At the end of the day, caring for your dental implants is not that much different to caring for your natural teeth.
How will dental implants fair in the long run?
Dental implants could last anywhere between 20 years and the rest of your life if they’re adequately taken care of. It is important to note that your gums and other teeth will still be susceptible to disease even if the implants themselves are not. Ensure you visit the dentist at least twice a year as you usually would for your check-ups and continue to practice good oral hygiene and your dental implants will last and serve you well.
Looking for some dental implants in Berwick?
Eden Rise Dental is well-equipped to service your need for dental implants in Berwick. Our family-friendly clinic offers a wide range of dental services in Berwick, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Our procedures and check-ups are handled by our highly qualified and experienced staff.
If you’re in need of some dental implants in Berwick, get in touch with us by calling us on (03) 9702 6111 or filling out the form on our website here.