Dental Implant Care Tips

Thorough care of implants is the key to successful implant healing and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Today, implantation is the most reliable and successful way to restore the functional and aesthetic qualities of a lost tooth. This procedure involves the implantation of special titanium pins into the jawbone. Then a crown is formed that matches natural teeth as much as possible. This treatment has several advantages: durability, high chewing potential, preservation of adjacent teeth, and a pleasant cosmetic effect.

Often, successful implantation and a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer of dental structures relax patients, allowing them to think that tooth implant care is not necessary. However, the speed and final result of implant healing, as well as the health of the gums and teeth, depends on how well the postoperative care is carried out.

Why is it so Important to Care for Dental Implants?

Good care of artificial teeth is essential for the survival of titanium roots. After the introduction of structures in the bone tissue, a restructuring occurs, the body adapts to the presence of a foreign body. Nothing must interfere with the integration of the implant. Engraftment can be slowed down by chronic disease and inflammation. Proper care after implant surgery reduces the risk of periodontal disease. In the areas under the crown, bacterial plaque accumulates, as a result of which the balance of beneficial and harmful microflora in the mouth is disturbed. Inflammation occurs, which can provoke rejection of the implant.

Patients at risk (pregnant women, allergy sufferers, patients with diabetes mellitus and low immunity) need to be especially careful. Immune changes and disorders negatively affect the healing process, and with improper care, this risk increases significantly.

What Should Be Done Immediately after Implantation?

Rehabilitation begins immediately after the installation of implants and lasts 3-6 months until complete engraftment. The first 2 weeks are the most important. As a result of the intervention, an open wound forms in the patient's mouth, where infection can easily spread. Do not overload the artificial root or jaw. Swelling is acceptable for 2-4 days after the operation, which lasts for several days. This can be removed with a cold compress.

Сare after dental implant in the early days involves only rinsing with antiseptics prescribed by a doctor. The patient is allowed to brush his teeth with a new soft-bristle brush outside the implantation zone. Hygienic treatment is carried out twice a day after meals. In addition to these treatments, diet and lifestyle are also changing. This is an important part of proper dental implant care. It’s not recommended to eat for 2 hours after the operation. Over time, the patient can eat warm and soft food, excluding spicy foods, strongly hot and cold dishes. In addition, immediately after implantation, the patient should not smoke, drink alcohol, since bad habits have a bad effect on the healing processes and the functioning of the immune system. During the first month, you should not visit the sauna, use the services of air travel, and highly recommended to significantly reduce the load on the body.

What to do if pain occurs? It should be borne in mind that moderate painful sensations are considered the norm after implant surgery and may differ for each patient. This is removed with pain relievers. However, if the pain persists, the implant site bleeds, and the high body temperature does not decrease, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Rules for Hygienic Care of Implants

Taking care of dental implants has the same rules as natural teeth. Since it’s not 100% protected from plaque formation, oral hygiene must be followed carefully. The implants are in close contact with the gums, so their inflammation can lead to loosening or loss of the root.

How to do home care after dental implantation? It’s not at all difficult, as it seems at first glance. The patient may use different dental and oral care products, for example, both conventional and electric toothbrushes. The main thing is to choose such models in which soft bristles, so that they cannot injure the mucous membrane. There are also interproximal brushes that have a set of special attachments. Their goal is to cleanse the interdental spaces. You can also use different shapes of brushes that can easily clean hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. As a rule, dental implant cleaning does not differ from cleaning ordinary teeth, therefore it’s recommended to carry out it using sweeping, vertical and circular movements. After brushing with a toothbrush, rinse your mouth well with a special liquid or use an irrigator. The pressure of the jet thoroughly cleans out hard-to-reach places, and also gently massages the gums, relieving swelling.

Even with the precision implant care at home, cleaning by a professional is essential. The presence of calculus on the crown of the tooth and under the gum can be a big problem. It injures the ligaments that hold the teeth or implants in the bone tissue. Lack of professional hygiene can lead to the accumulation of bacteria, the appearance of inflammation in the gums and bone, and ultimately to the rapid loss of the implant itself.

Implants may serve for a long time and reliably, just simple rules should be followed. Every six months undergo a preventive examination by a professional. This will help the doctor assess the condition of the artificial tooth and spot problems at an early stage. No matter how well you look after your oral cavity, it’s impossible to completely get rid of plaque and tartar. Therefore, it’s advisable to do professional cleaning at the clinic where the implantation was made.