How Do I Care For My Dental Implants

How do I care for my dental implants?

Well-placed and cared for dental implants have the potential to last for decades. Caring for teeth restored with dental implants is just like caring for your natural teeth. Good oral hygiene must take place before, during, and after placement of dental implants to ensure the health of the implant.

Brush twice daily with low-abrasive dentifrice. Avoid dentifrice with stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, baking soda, stain removers, and smoker’s toothpaste.

Floss with dental tape (mesial/distal and facial/lingual) in shoe shine motion or use a water flosser one to times daily.

If recommended, use interdental brush, rubber tip, soft picks, and/or water irrigation unit one to two times daily. A soft toothbrush should be used; options include a manual brush, electric, or sonic brush (examples include Oral-B Triumph, Sonicare, and Waterpik Sensonic Plus), Sulcabrush, or end-tuft brush.

The elimination of 85% of plaque/biofilm on a daily basis is critical to the overall health of the implant.

In addition, antimicrobial mouth rinses may be recommended, especially if inflammation is present or if the patient has dexterity problems, and difficult-to-reach areas. If the patient is prone to inflammation, the use of an antimicrobial rinse, in conjunction with a rubber tip stimulator, may be recommended to inactivate bacteria substantive.

Here are some Post-surgical implant placement home-care guidelines

• Drink only clear liquids; a soft diet is recommended for the first few days.
• Take all prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Take prescribed pain medication as needed for pain.
• Use an extra-soft toothbrush twice daily to clean pre-existing teeth or other implants, being careful to avoid the surgical incision area. If a patient uses an ultrasonic or electric toothbrush, wait for one to two weeks.
• Clean between teeth once a day throughout the entire mouth except at the surgical site.
• Avoid wearing the temporary prosthesis provided or denture to let the gum tissue heal (if the implant was not immediately loaded).
• If recommended, use salt water rinses or non-alcohol antimicrobial mouth rinse two times daily.

Who We Are | The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas

The Oral Surgery Institute of the Carolinas is located in Greensboro NC. We offer oral, maxillofacial and implant surgery to NC residents! Our team of specialists looks forward to working with you and sharing their expertise. We offer a full range of services to diagnose, treat, and resolve your oral surgery needs. Our goal is to lay the foundation for a beautiful smile though implant surgery.
 

Schedule an Evaluation

Want to learn more about implants? Meeting with an oral surgeon to discuss your specific needs and ask questions is a key step in determining if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Our Oral Surgeons have been specially trained in implant procedures. To schedule an implant evaluation, give us a call at Phone: 336-275-6600 or 1-877-582-6600. Address: 1002 N. Church St. Suite 100 Greensboro, NC 27401.