subject: Home Care For Dental Implants [print this page] Dental implants can be very effective and successful if the patient does what they need to do in terms of care at home. There are two stages involved in taking care of your new and improved teeth post-operatively. The first takes place immediately after you return home following the operation. The second involves the continuing care that is required over the long-term to prevent any serious problems from occurring.
To have dental implants placed into your mouth, a surgical procedure is required. This dental treatment is more complicated and more extensive than having a cavity filled. You may be required to visit the dentist more than once to ensure that the new apparatus is fitting properly. Over time, it will grow into your gum and down into your jawbone. It will look and feel like one of your real teeth.
After the surgery is over, you will likely notice some bruising, a slight amount of bleeding and some minor discomfort. You may also find that your gums and the sides of your face are swollen. To begin the recuperation period, you must follow the instructions that the physician gives you. If you have been prescribed a course of antibiotics, be sure to take them all on schedule. Take all of them until they are finished.
If you experience pain, don't suffer in silence. Tell the dental surgeon. He may write you a prescription for pain medication or he may suggest over-the-counter pain medicine that can help you to feel better faster.
Your diet may have to be altered immediately after having an operation to place dental implants in your gums. It is likely that you will be restricted to eating soft foods for a week or thereabouts after the procedure. Your mouth needs to become familiar with the changes that have taken place in it.
Stage two of caring for your new and improved artificial teeth is all about treating them as if they were your natural and genuine teeth. What this means is following the same procedure for dental hygiene that you did before. Brushing at least twice a day is crucial, as is flossing before you go to bed at night.
You need to be choosy about the foods you eat. The care you provide at home is important but so is the care that you receive at the dentist office. Visit the dental practitioner on a regular basis. This is important not just for your dental implants, but also for the health of all of your teeth and your gums.
Some people find that their regular toothbrush is not enough to get their implants clean. There are special brushes you can buy, such as the interdental brush, which will allow you to reach every angle of your teeth, including the front, back, and the sides.
