If you have recently received dental implants in Houston, learn the steps you should take to make sure your implants stay healthy and strong in your jaw. Dental implants have a high rate of success — up to 95 percent in eligible patients — but proper care is mandatory. Keep reading to learn how to care for your dental implants immediately after placement, and for years down the line. Congratulations on making the best choice in tooth replacement!
What to Do Right After Your Implants Are Placed
Following the surgical placement of traditional dental implants, you will experience the side effects associated with any minor oral surgery. Your gums may feel tender or uncomfortable, they may swell, and you may notice light bleeding around the treatment site. Take pain medication as recommended, and apply an ice pack in 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) to reduce swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin. Side effects should subside after five to seven days. If bleeding, discomfort, or swelling worsen or do not improve, contact your doctor.
Additional steps you can take to make sure your implants remain healthy in the days following your surgery include:
- Avoiding strenuous activity
- Maintaining a nutritious soft foods diet
- Keeping the head elevated
- Following all of your doctor’s instructions
- Avoiding tobacco products
Caring For Dental Implants After Healing
Once your dental implants have healed and your prosthetic device — the crown, bridge, or denture that sits on top — has been placed, excellent maintenance is crucial. Continue to brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, visit your dentist as recommended, and maintain a balanced, nutritious diet. Avoid tobacco use to ensure the continued health of your dental implants. Smoking and other forms of tobacco are a common cause of dental implant failure.
Remember that your dental implant should never hurt after it has healed. If you experience discomfort, swelling, or tenderness months or years after your implant placement, contact your dentist immediately.
A Note on Peri-Implantitis
A small number of patients may develop a condition known as peri-implantitis, an infection of the bone and gum tissues that surround the dental implant. The condition is most often caused by plaque buildup due to inadequate cleaning. Untreated peri-implantitis causes the dental implant to become loose and ultimately fail. To avoid the condition, make sure you are maintaining excellent dental and oral hygiene.
More Questions About Houston Dental Implants?
If you have remaining doubts about the care of your dental implants, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Piney Point Dental Implant Center. We are your partner in tooth replacement! Contact us to discuss dental implants today.