After Dental Implant After Care Procedure

If you have enjoyed the privilege of restoring your smile from a dental implant procedure it is important to follow the aftercare procedures in order to keep your smile healthy and happy. An implant is a surgical procedure where a titanium post is placed into the jawbone below the gum line which then creates a way for your general dentist to mount a replacement tooth. Once the dental implant is complete the tooth is solid in the jaw bone and cannot be removed like a denture. Implants are great because they do not have to be mounted to other teeth.

Implants do not move or shift in your mouth and add a benefit when speaking and eating. Bridges or dentures can move depending on the fit. Once you have your implant complete it is critical that you follow the post-surgical procedure plan in order to keep your implant secure and healing. An implant is similar to your real teeth and requires regular dental care.

Your periodontist will give you after-care procedures that may include utilizing a soft toothbrush for the first few weeks of healing. You will want to eventually begin to floss again, but this may take some time as your gums are healing. Floss is the only way to remove food from between the teeth and is a really important way to keep your smile healthy.

For more information on dental implants and after care procedures, contact Dr. Rice and her team.

Don’t Cut Corners With Your Dental Health

It is easy to fall into the pattern of only brushing in the morning, or only flossing one or two days a week. You may talk yourself into these detrimental habits thinking your teeth and gums are strong, they can handle this mediocre dental plan. Unfortunately, negative effects will begin to break down the integrity of your smile after time.

Brushing removes food from the surface of the teeth. As you eat sugar mixes with bacteria to create a sticky film on the teeth. “This film is called plaque and this process begins immediately after you eat,” says Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice.  Once the plaque sticks to the teeth, if not removed, it can attack the enamel increasing your chance of decay and other painful dental problems. Once you have a cavity or you have decay you are more susceptible to other problems with your teeth.

Floss one time a day, either in the morning or at bedtime. If you eat a food that is stuck between your teeth you will also want to floss as soon as possible. There is no other single task that can remove food particles from between the teeth. Food that is left breaks down into plaque and begins to move below the gum line. As this process begins, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed. This is not normal and individuals who floss and brush regularly do not usually have to endure any of these damaging events to their smile.

Drink plenty of water. Enjoy the natural flavor of lemon or cucumber in order to give you fresh tasting water. Or throw some mint leaves in there for a great afternoon pick me up. Water removes food from the surface of the teeth, but it also decreases dry mouth. “A dry mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and more opportunity for decay,” says, Dr. Rice.