Dental implants are a perfect solution for damaged or missing teeth. After fitting, your natural smile will be restored and only you and your dentist need ever know that they are there. So, they look great but what about when it comes to using them? Here are our top tips for maintaining oral hygiene with implants and dealing with any post-implant pain. 

Fitting pain

As with any surgery, there will be soreness and swelling immediately after implantation but this will quickly calm down. During this period the gums are still healing and you may experience heightened sensitivity so avoid foods such as ice or very hot drinks. You will also have to be very careful about cleaning at this stage, a soft brush is recommended for use on sensitive gum areas.  

Under pressure 

Once the implant has been fully fitted and the prosthetic tooth is in place, your bite pressure will be fully restored—to that of natural teeth. This means it will be possible to enjoy all those foods that were previously difficult to eat. However, the effect is unlikely to be immediate as the implant must be fully healed and established in the gum before normal eating can be restored. Ask your dentist for an estimate as to when full bite pressure will be restored and work your way up to it. Too much pressure on the implant too soon could significantly damage your gums and hold up the healing process. 

Brushing 

Care for your implants as you would your natural teeth with regular flossing. It can take some time to get used to your new teeth as, although they will be closely modelled on your natural teeth, there are likely to be some slight differences in size and shape. While the prosthetic teeth can't themselves decay, it is important to floss around them to protect your gums and remaining natural teeth from damage.  Eat sensibly avoiding too much sugar or staining food and drinks such as red wine and coffee. This will ensure the longevity of your implants and  will help you to maintain that natural smile. 

If you are considering dental implants, book an appointment with your dentist. They will carry out an assessment of your oral health to ensure you are a suitable candidate for dental implants. They will then carry out the procedure and advise you about the best aftercare techniques for your new mouth.