Getting Dental Implants? 3 Tips to Care for Them
As you get closer to getting dental implants placed in your mouth, you may have questions about what you need to do after the surgery. Dental implants do require some special care, but it is not too far outside what should be considered a normal oral health care routine. Be sure to follow these three tips to care for your dental implants.
1. Use a Different Toothbrush and Toothpaste
It is normal to have sensitive gums right after the dental implants have been placed into your jawbone. It is a good idea to switch to a new toothbrush that has soft bristles and a toothpaste that is non-abrasive on the surface of the crown. While the crown is very strong, abrasive materials can cause damage to the crown over time. It is best to stay away from toothpastes that have baking soda in them because of this.
2. Use Dental Tape and Water Flossing Devices
You'll want to take steps to ensure that the base around the implants is clean. It is best to use dental tape that does not have any wax on it because that wax may get trapped underneath a dental implant and cause irritation. Be gentle when working the floss around the gums, because the area still needs time to heal properly.
One device you can use to help floss is a water flosser. This device won't replace dental floss since it just removes food and debris instead of bacteria. It is a great way to get rid of any debris that may be stuck underneath the crown of the implant, which also can cause irritation,
3. Use Medications Prescribed To You
There are two medications that your dentist may prescribe for you to take after the surgery is finished. The most important one to take is the antibiotic. This is designed to fight off an infection, so while it may not seem like it is doing anything, it could be preventing a bigger problem from occurring. Continue to take the antibiotic, even if you start feeling much better after the surgery. Not taking the whole prescription can cause an infection to come back.
You will also be given a pain medication. It is best to take this one preemptively for pain right after the surgery. Do not wait until the pain medication the dentist gave you at the office wears off since you should already have your prescribed medication in your system to help you feel better.
If you want to learn more about dental implants or to schedule your dental implant surgery, click here to continue reading.
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