A newly implanted tooth needs a routine that takes care of its needs. There are plenty of things patients must do and avoid to prevent dislodging or misaligning their new dental implant. Here are several good habits to adopt to ensure your dental implant lasts long and grafts safely like a part of your body.
Use Soft-Bristled Brushes
Brushes with soft bristles will apply enough pressure on your teeth’s enamel and won’t scratch the surface of a dental implant. A hard bristle can damage the enamel and cause irreversible damage that requires re-implantation. That said, opt for soft nylon brushes that are pliable, gentle, and won’t apply too much pressure on your teeth.
Identify and Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste
Abrasive toothpaste will cause scratches and damage to your teeth. It is strong enough to remove plaques and stains and wear down your enamel and dental implants. Ordinary toothpaste is typically abrasive, so ask your dental implant specialist about their recommended products suitable for post-op use.
Do Daily Flossing
Flossing is essential to keep your dental implants safe and to recover smoothly after an operation. Use a floss carefully around the corners of your tooth and the dental implant itself. You can prevent plaque buildup and remove infectious food particles between your teeth. Plaque can quickly build around your implants, and it can cause severe dental issues if left unattended. That said, ask your dental professional for implant-friendly floss to encourage you to use them frequently.
Use Mouthwash
Non-alcoholic mouthwash will clean germs, viruses, food particles, and other remaining matter inside your mouth. These won’t cause damage to your new dental implant, too. Furthermore, avoid intense mouthwash flavors, such as mint or cinnamon mouthwash, because they can cause discomfort around your freshly implanted tooth.
Stick to a Soft Diet
You can eat your favorite food soon, but you’ll need to stick to a soft diet after your dental implant. These are easier to digest, won’t cause much plaque buildup on your dental implant, and will leave you feeling full. Avoid hard, hot, and sticky foods because these can cause plaque buildup and are hard to remove with floss and soft-bristled brushes. Hardshell tacos, potato chips, carrots, crusty bread, ice, and steak are food you should avoid.
Avoid Habitual Chewing
Dental implants can get damaged by chewing on non-food items. You can damage the enamel and dental implants if you habit chewing a pencil eraser, ballpen cap, or other items.
If you have bruxism, your condition may cause damage to your dental implants, so ask your dentist for special tooth guards that prevent you from damaging the implant.
Don’t Consume Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks are dangerous to your dental health. They have a high sugar content that causes tooth decay. Furthermore, they speed up plaque accumulation and delay your dental implant’s healing. You’ll have to avoid alcoholic drinks for six months to ensure your dental implant heals fully and effectively.
Avoid Smoking
Cigarette smoke is full of dangerous chemicals that will harm your dental implant. It can cause tooth decay and slow the implant’s healing process. Chemicals in the smoke can also weaken the gums and cause inflammation. Lastly, keep away from cigarettes if you don’t want stained dental implants.
Regular Dental Checkups
Trips to the dentist ensure your implant is healing properly. They will inspect your implant’s condition and recommend adjustments to your oral hygiene routine and diet. Furthermore, they’ll give you the good news if your implant has fully healed. Checking in with your medical professional helps you learn how your entire dental system adapts to your new implant.
