Dental implants are a fantastic option to improve the appearance and function of your smile. It’s no surprise that more than 3 million people in the United States have dental implants, with 500,000 new ones being implanted every year.

Though, you can’t expect your new implants to handle everything independently. It is necessary to ensure that proper care is taken if you wish to witness the optimum outcome. Keeping this in mind, we have come up with tips to take care of your implants.

It Is Advisable To Use A Nylon Toothbrush

You’ll likely need to switch toothbrushes after obtaining dental implants. This is because nylon toothbrushes have malleable bristles that are gentler on your dental implants. A Proxabrush can be used to clean the hard-to-reach areas around your dental implants.

Hard-bristled toothbrushes should be avoided since they can harm the surface of your implants. In fact, you should avoid using any form of metal equipment to clean your mouth once your implants have been placed. Instead, stick to brushing and flossing twice daily.

Never Use Abrasive Products

You’ll want to buy gentle cleaning products as often as possible after you get your dental implants, whether it’s toothpaste or mouthwash. This is due to the fact that abrasive products can cause severe discomfort. Strong-scented oral hygiene products, such as mint or cinnamon, should be avoided in general since they might leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Flossing Is A Must

Did you know that only 16% of adults in the United States floss every day? That means 84% of individuals aren’t flossing regularly enough. If you fall into this category, it’s time to make a change now that you have dental implants. Flossing is more critical than ever with dental implants. This is because plaque can readily build up around your implants, causing other oral hygiene problems. The good news is that there are a variety of flosses created exclusively for those who have dental implants, so there’s no excuse not to brush your teeth. If you find it challenging to find time to floss, consider the following suggestions to help you floss more frequently:

• Do set a reminder on your mobile. This is ideal for those days when you are overworked.
• Floss should be kept in your car or purse. You may take advantage of whatever downtime you have to take care of your teeth if you keep flossing all the time.
• Give yourself a treat for flossing. It’s fine if you need a little extra motivation to start flossing. Enjoy an extra episode of your favorite TV show as a reward. Make the prize even higher if you floss for 30 consecutive days. Consider a new pair of shoes or a day at the spa.

Do Not Eat Sticky Or Hard Food Items

Eating hard or sticky food items can cause your implants to deteriorate. Not to mention that certain foods can cause damage to opposing teeth. Following your implants, you should avoid certain meals.

• Dried fruit
• Hardshell tacos
• Caramel
• Ice
• Apples
• Potato chips
• Carrots

We have not included all food items to avoid in the list. Get an idea yourself by going through the pointers.

Smoking & Consumption Of Alcohol Is A “No”

It is generally a good idea to refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol. When you have dental implants, though, it’s especially crucial to avoid certain activities such as smoking or intake of alcohol.

Remember that it takes about six months for your dental implants to cure. Therefore, smoking during this time might be pretty harmful. Additionally, drinking alcohol has been known to impede the healing process of a dental implant. As a result, it should be avoided as much as possible.

You Should Go For Dental Checkups

Dental implants can help you get a more attractive smile. They aren’t, however, a remedy for all oral hygiene difficulties. Depending on your overall dental health, you should see your dentist at least twice a year. Your dental implants can last a lifetime if you take good care of them and go to the dentist on a regular basis.

Adopt A Few Immediate Measures

You are now probably curious about how to take care of your dental implants after they’ve been placed. Over the next 24 hours after getting dental implants, you’ll most likely suffer some pain and inflammation. This is quite normal, and you should not be concerned. Following your procedure, there are a few things you should do:

• Bite on the sponges placed in your mouth to stop the bleeding.
• Avoid excessive movement and keep your head up during the first 8 to 12 hours after the operation.
• As needed, apply an ice pack to your face in 15-minute intervals.
• Only soft food items and beverages should be consumed for the first 24 hours.
• Follow your dentist’s instructions when it comes to taking prescribed drugs.
• For the first 24 hours, do not rinse your mouth.

We hope that going through this blog has helped you know what to do for the wellness of your dental implants. Book an appointment at Sanders Family Dental if you are looking for a dental implants service in Lombard, IL. Call us today!