Dental implants provide a strong, reliable, and long-lasting solution for your missing teeth. Implants are basically designed to support the crown, bridge, or denture placed in the place of your missing teeth. Dental implants, once inserted, may take a few days or weeks to heal as the bone needs to tightly bond around them.

Implants need good care so as to avoid any kind of food accumulation, giving rise to bacteria and causing infection. 

After your implants are done, your dentist, like at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, will guide you on how to take care of the implants. Here are a few basic steps that you must take to keep your implants healthy.

1. Have a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

Having a good hygiene routine for oral care is very much needed to make your implants last longer. You need a good quality toothbrush that will avoid any kind of scratching on its surface. Also, flossing is very much required so that no food particle is deposited near the implant. Food getting accumulated between the teeth and the implant may give birth to bacteria, causing infection and pain. If not taken seriously may even lead to peri-implantitis. 

Some tips to follow for keeping your mouth and implant healthy are:-

1. You should always brush twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. This will keep your gums far from damage, and the implants won’t have any kind of scratching on them.
2. Never use an abrasive toothpaste, as it may damage the implant.
3. Use an implant-safe floss which are specially designed for cleaning around the dental implants.
4. You can even use the interdental brushes, which fit in between the implant and the surrounding teeth and remove any kind of food accumulation or plaque deposition.
5. Always, always use an antimicrobial mouthwash, so as to reduce the bacteria in the mouth causing infection or even tooth decay.

Including these hygiene tips in your routine will help you to keep your oral health in a perfect condition and also will keep your implant and teeth clean and infection-free free resulting in the long life of your implant.

2. Schedule Regular Check-Ups and Professional Cleanings

Once you get your implant done, you need to regularly visit your dentist for professional cleaning and check-ups. Your dentist will check your implant and will let you know if your implant is in good condition or if any kind of infection or gum disease is building up.

Visiting your dentist regularly is necessary as:-

1. Early Detection of Problems:- Visiting your dentist regularly helps your dentist to check for any gum problems or damage to the implant at an early stage, if persisting. This will allow us to take measurable actions and the precautions or treatments required to cure the issue occurred.
2. Professional Cleaning:- Unlike the brushing and flossing done at home, professional cleanings done at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry are specialized for removing plaque and tartar formation, which are generally not possible through the regular cleaning done at home.
3. Tracking of implant conditions:- Dentists at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, not only check for the condition of the implant, but also the gum and the surrounding teeth as well. If any adjustments are needed, they can be taken care of instantly, so that the implant remains stable and fit.

Patients who have undergone full Dental Implants need to have regular visits, timely and unforgettably, as multiple implants need to be taken care of.

3. Watch out for Your Diet Choices

It is very important to pay attention to what you are eating after the implant. Once your implant is fully grafted, you can have foods like carrots and apples, but cut them prior to consuming. But if your implant is a recent one, you need to be very careful not to have sticky or chewy food items.

A few things to take care of for having an implant-friendly diet are:-

1. Avoid hard and sticky food items:- Consuming hard and sticky items puts extra pressure on the implant, causing damage to the implant. This may even delay the healing time. Sticky food items such as candies, chewing gums, or caramels can even pull out the implant crown, increasing the risk of loosening from the site. 
2. Focus on having a balanced diet:- Try to include food items rich in vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, as much as possible. These will help in supporting the jawbone and the tissues surrounding your implant, thus ensuring the stability of the implant.
3. Watch out for your beverages:- Consuming alcoholic beverages can slow down the healing process and may even cause swelling. Drinks like soda, wine, and coffee can cause staining and affect the health of your gums and surrounding tissues. It’s a good idea to limit consumption and rinse your mouth with water after drinking these beverages.
   

Having dental implants helps in providing a long-term solution, but taking care of your diet will maintain its aesthetics and functional longevity.

4. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products

At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we keep on reminding our patients that smoking is a major cause of implant failure. So, it’s better to keep it far away for some time. Nicotine and the chemicals found in tobacco are a big risk factor as they cause gum disease and infection, interfering with the healing process of implants.

Smoking has a major effect on your dental implants:-

1. Causes delay in healing:- The healing of implants can take months to complete, but consuming tobacco reduces the healing process. You must avoid smoking if you don’t want any kind of complications in your implant healing.
2. Increased risk of gum disease:- Smoking reduces the blood flow to the gums, slowing the capacity to heal and fighting infection. This leads to gum recession, thus compromising the integrity of the dental implants.
3. Potential for implant failure:- We at Kathy Jacobsen have seen that people who smoke even after their dental implants are more prone to implant failure as compared to people who do not smoke. Studies also show that smoking is a big cause of reduced healing and infection, leading to implant failures in smokers more often.

If a dental implant is on your checklist or you are already going through the implant procedure, then quitting smoking is the best gift that you can give to your teeth.

 5. Be Gentle with Implants

Once you have gone for dental implants, your mouth needs time to heal and adjust. Dental implants are designed for long-lasting durability. You need to be gentle with your implants for proper healing and better results.

There are a few steps you can take for the gentle care of your implants:-

1. No grinding and clenching of teeth:- People who have the habit of grinding or clenching their teeth during the night need to pay attention. Any excessive pressure on your implants may cause implant failure. Consult with Kathy Jacobsen at Contemporary Dentistry if you have a problem with clenching or grinding your teeth.
2. Be mindful while chewing:- After the placement of a single implant or a front tooth implant, you need to take care while eating and chewing food from that side of the mouth. In case of the full mouth dental implant, consult your dentist and ask for the activities that you need to follow for your normal daily oral routine.
3. Be cautious with your oral appliances:- If you are using or wearing any other dental appliance, such as dentures or retainers, make sure that they are well-fitted and do not interfere with your implant area.

The aftercare of your implants is crucial for proper healing of your dental implants and to avoid any kind of damage, gum infection, or implant misalignment, so that the implant stays in excellent condition for long periods of time.

Conclusion

Whether you need a single implant or a more extensive treatment like full /complete dental implants, having the knowledge of implant care will help you to make this journey easy and comfortable. Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, avoiding drinking and smoking, with proper, gentle care of your implants will ensure a smooth functioning and feeling confident in the coming years.

To ensure the long-term success and health of your dental implant, you need to take proper care of it.  We at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry always explain to our patients and guide them through their implant journey, and share various personalized tips for the maintenance and aftercare of their implants. Following these tips will not only extend the life of your implants but will also keep your smile as good as new. Dr. Kathy and our team at Contemporary Dentistry are always focused and committed to helping you achieve the optimal results for your requirements.

To know more about dental implant treatments, consider booking an appointment with our experts at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry today. Our is always more than ready and happy to guide you through your dental journey and bring the best smile you deserve!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long the dental implants last?

When taking preventive care, your implants can last as long as 25 years or even more. Going for regular check-ups and taking mindful care of your implants are key to their longevity.

2. How difficult is it to take care of the implants?

Your implant needs the same care as the one your natural teeth require. Some mild discomfort after the surgery may be seen, but it will subside quickly with comprehensive care.

3. Can I eat normally after getting implants?

You can resume your regular diet once your implant is fully healed. But be thoughtful about eating in the initial phase of healing, such as staying away from hard and sticky food items. Your dentist will guide you thoroughly about the dedicated eating habits required for you.

4. What activities do I need to avoid after getting my dental implants?

Avoid any kind of grinding or clenching of teeth, so that the implants remain in their place. Also, try to avoid any activity that can cause pressure on your implant, especially in the initial phase of healing. Once healed, your dentist will let you know which activites are good to start with.

5. How often would it be required to visit the dentist after the implants?

Regular visits will require you to have the check-ups done every six months or as suggested by your dentist. Regular visits help your dentist detect any precaution that needs to be taken or if any other issues need to be taken care of.