For patients with missing teeth, implants can often provide a host of benefits that strengthen your jaw and bite. The full implant process can often take between three and six months to complete. When getting dental implants in Tampa, FL, patients need to care for the implant site properly to help prevent possible infection or implant failure. The first few hours after surgery are the most important, but it’s crucial to keep the area clean and safe until healing is complete.
How to Care for Dental Implants in Tampa, FL
Dental implants are one of the most invasive dental procedures possible. Implant dentistry requires surgical placement of the implant post into your jawbone. The surgery itself is often relatively routine. For most patients, only a local anesthetic is needed to numb the implant site. Once the implant is placed, you’ll need to wait for it to fully integrate into the jawbone before you can get it restored. It’s highly crucial that you follow your dentist’s aftercare tips to ensure your implant is secure and your oral health is high.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking, overall, can be detrimental to your oral health. But it’s even more hazardous to the integration of your implant. The harmful chemicals in a cigar or cigarette can often affect your gums and the material of the implant. This can lead to disease, decay, or inflammation that could damage the implant site. The sucking motion of smoking can also increase the chances of your implant coming loose or falling out. Because it can take a few months for your implant to set properly, it’s a good idea to quit smoking as soon as possible before surgery.
Maintain Oral Hygiene
While you’re waiting for your implant to heal, it’s important to continue keeping up with your oral hygiene routine. Patients should continue to brush and floss their teeth, taking care to avoid the surgical site itself. Keeping the neighboring teeth clean and healthy is one of the best ways to prevent gum disease from affecting your implant. While an antibacterial mouthwash can help lower plaque and bacteria, your dentist will likely suggest not using one. Squishing and spitting can cause the implant site to loosen, leading to complications with your implant.
Take Care While Eating and Drinking
For the most part, patients can continue to eat and drink the foods they enjoy. However, it’s usually best to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the implant. This can help prevent food particles from getting stuck in the area and causing problems. It’s also important to avoid drinking through a straw. This can cause your implant to come loose or not integrate properly.
If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant could help restore your bite. At Historic Hyde Park Dentistry, we offer implant restorations for several dental conditions. Call us today at 813-733-6981 to schedule a consultation and see if implant dentistry is right for you.