One of the greatest benefits of dental implants is that, in mimicking your natural teeth, their daily and long-term care is similar to that of your healthy, natural smile. Once placed, implants are designed to feel and function like the roots of your natural teeth, including lasting for life after your jawbone fuses to them. To help ensure their success, we explore how to care for dental implants to keep them healthy and strong enough to accomplish their goals of restoring and preserving your oral health.
Long-Term Care for Your Dental Implants
Immediately following your dental implant surgery, your mouth and jawbone will need to heal, which can last for about 4-6 months and will allow your jawbone to fuse to the implants’ surfaces. During this time, you may wear a temporary restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture) and should refrain from eating hard foods, playing contact sports, or otherwise exposing the implant posts to excessive pressure. Once you’ve healed and your appropriate prosthetic has been attached to the implants, you’ll care for them by;
- Brushing and flossing your implant-supported prosthetic as you do your teeth, at least twice every day.
- Avoiding excessive snacking, which can contribute to excessive plaque buildup and increase your risk of gum disease around the implants.
- Attending your follow-up appointments and regularly-scheduled checkups and cleanings as often as your dentist recommends.
- Avoiding grinding your teeth or chewing on objects, like pens, pencils, ice cubes, etc. If you grind your teeth habitually (a condition called bruxism), then we may recommend treating the condition before placing your dental implants to avoid damage to your restoration.
- Seeking dental treatment as soon as possible if you experience tooth sensitivity or aching, bleeding or tender gums, or other signs of dental health trouble. If you develop tooth decay or gum disease close to the implants, the disease may affect the implants’ support and lead to implant failure.
ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY IMPLANT DENTISTS:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
