How to Care for Your Dental Implants

Caring for Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are a fantastic solution for replacing missing teeth, offering a natural look that helps you feel much more confident about your smile. However, to ensure dental implant longevity and maintain oral health, proper care is essential.

Here’s our guide on how to care for your dental implants, to ensure they remain healthy and functional for years to come!

Immediate After Care Tips

After your dental implant procedure, you may be wondering how to properly care for your implants during the recovery period.

It’s common to experience some pain and swelling in the first 24 hours after the procedure. This is completely normal and should not cause alarm.

Care Tips

• To control bleeding, gently bite down on the sponges placed in your mouth.
• For the first 8 to 12 hours, minimize physical activity and keep your head elevated.
• Apply an ice pack to your face in 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling as needed.
• Stick to soft foods and beverages for the first 24 hours.
• Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed by your dentist.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours to protect the healing area.
• Lastly, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you won’t be able to drive yourself.

If you have any questions about immediate after care, please don’t hesitate to contact the Van Hoof Dental team at (920) 733-4555 or online here.

Dental Implant Care

1. Use a Soft Nylon Toothbrush

When you get dental implants, you’ll want to also switch toothbrushes. We recommend using a soft, nylon toothbrush, since they come with bristles that are pliable and gentle, which are perfect for using on your dental implants.

Be sure to avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles, since they scratch the surface of your dental implants.

2. Floss Your Teeth Daily

Don’t forget to floss daily to remove any food particles and plaque that can accumulate around the implant.

In addition to traditional flossing, a water flosser can be particularly effective in cleaning around the implant area. It helps flush out bacteria and debris from areas that are hard to reach with regular floss.

3. Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods

Dental implants are durable, but they can still be affected by your diet. Avoid hard foods such as:

• Ice
• Hard candies
• Popcorn kernels
• Carrots
• Apples
• Steak
• Hard, crusty bread

These can put unnecessary pressure on your implants. Similarly, sticky foods like caramel can cling to the implant and the surrounding teeth, and increase the risk of damage and plaque buildup.

4. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking is known to increase the risk of dental implant failure by affecting the healing process and gum health. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the bone structure around the implant.

For the best results, avoid smoking and limit your alcohol intake to keep your implants secure and your mouth healthy.

5. Use Mouthwash

Another important dental implant care tip we recommend is to use mouthwash. Specifically, incorporating an antimicrobial mouthwash into your routine can help keep your mouth free of bacteria that could lead to infections.

We’ll recommend a mouthwash that is alcohol-free to help avoid irritating your gums or implant area.

6. Protect Your Implants from Impact

If you play contact sports or engage in activities that risk impact to your mouth, wearing a mouthguard is essential.

This will protect both your natural teeth and your dental implants from any potential damage caused by a sudden blow or trauma.

7. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Following your dental implant procedure, you’ll want to make sure you are scheduling regular dental checkups. Routine checkups are critical for maintaining the health of your dental implants.

Your dentist can monitor the condition of your implants, perform professional cleanings, and ensure there are no underlying issues developing. We recommend visiting your dentist at least every six months for optimal care.

Schedule a Consultation with Van Hoof Dental Today!

Caring for your dental implants is crucial for your overall oral health. If you’re considering dental implants or need more personalized advice on how to maintain them, Dr. Van Hoof and the team are here to help! Our dentists provide comprehensive care and customized dental implant solutions to improve your smile.

Van Hoof Dental serves patients throughout Appleton and the Fox Valley area. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our dental implant services and how we can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime!