Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, but they do require a longer treatment process and recovery period. You will have to make certain oral hygiene changes after getting dental implants. This is done to reduce the risk of oral infection, implant failure, and other serious concerns.
There are certain oral hygiene changes that patients must make after getting dental implants. In addition, the healing period after implant placement requires careful oral hygiene. The following is a review of oral care, dietary, and physical activity changes that may be required after getting dental implants.
When discussing oral hygiene, most think about their brushing routine and how often they floss and use mouthwash. This is an important aspect of oral hygiene, but oral hygiene involves protecting teeth from trauma and dietary choices, as well. As it relates specifically to brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, patients should keep a consistent routine and exercise caution while caring for their teeth. This should include brushing the mouth gently to avoid irritation (especially during recovery from the implant placement), flossing each day, and using mouthwash as directed by the dentist.
Another important aspect of oral hygiene is preventing a dental injury, which is typically caused by a blow to the mouth. Anytime patients with dental implants participate in physical activities in which a blow to the face is possible, such as contact sports and weightlifting, wearing a mouthguard is important. This helps prevent damage to the replacement teeth or the implant if an accident were to occur. In addition, those who grind their teeth at night may need to wear a mouthguard while sleeping to prevent bruxism. Taking these precautions can reduce the risk of needing early dental implant restoration or replacement.
The food and drinks that patients consume play a role in how long dental implants last and how good the patient’s overall oral hygiene is. It is important to reduce the intake of sugar and other carbohydrates as they can combine with bacteria in the mouth and create an acidic reaction that damages the structures of teeth (gums and bone) that support the implant. Excessive sugar consumption can also increase the risk of cavities to other teeth and an oral infection while recovering from implant placement.
Visiting the dentist for all scheduled checkups is essential for everyone, especially after getting dental implants. Routine checkups can help ensure good oral hygiene in the long term by detecting the early signs of oral health complications before they develop further.
If you are considering dental implants or oral care with dental implants, then contact us today. Everyone deserves to have an option to replace their missing teeth, and we offer dental implants (and other services) for our patients.
Request an appointment here: https://westlinndental.net or call West Linn Dental at (503) 635-4493 for an appointment in our West Linn office.
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