If you have selected dental implants to fill in those gaps in your smile, it is important to know the care needed afterward. Dental implants are not removable, which makes them quite different than dentures. The implants are permanently implanted into the jaw, and they require their own steps to care for them after the surgical procedure is complete. Be sure to do the following things to prevent a potential issue from occurring.
Watch Out For The Overall Comfort
An implant that has been properly installed should feel as if it is a natural tooth. Nothing should feel odd about it in terms of its size, how it aligns with your bite, and how you eat food. During the initial period after getting dental implants, you should pay attention to your overall comfort with the dental implant, write down things you are noticing, and talk to your dentist about it.
For example, you may have an implant that rests slightly higher than your old tooth, which now puts pressure on your jaw when chewing. This will require your dentist to make adjustments to the crown, or else it will cause you jaw pain over time.
Watch Out For Infection Signs
One potential complication after the surgical procedure is an infection. It can happen due to several reasons, such as having pre-existing hum disease and not taking proper care of your mouth to keep is clean.
You'll notice the typical signs of an infection, which includes pain, puss coming out of the gums, bad breath, and a bad taste in your mouth. If you've notice any of these signs, it is worth going to your dentist to have the area looked at. They may help identify an infection and get you a prescription for antibiotics.
Keep The Area Clean
One issue that people run into after getting dental implants is a lack of self care at home. The implant may be a fake tooth, but the part of your jaw and gums holding it in place is still real. You need to practice good oral health, or else you'll end up with problems like gum disease that can cause the implant to fail.
In addition to regular brushing and flossing, it's important that you continue going back to your dentist for cleanings and inspections. They may not find a cavity in your fake teeth, but the dentist will help identify other oral health problems that can affect the implant.
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