Straight Teeth in Less Time

Straight Teeth in Less Time

Oral Hygiene Tips For The Days After Your Dental Implant Surgery

Lois Murray

If you have just undergone dental implant surgery, you may wonder if there is anything special you need to do while performing your routine oral care. If so, use the following tips to keep your dental implants clean, intact, and free from infection.

Rinse Your Mouth Several Times a Day

Especially on the day of your surgery, your gums may be sore and swollen. However, you still need to make sure that your teeth and gums are clean even if you are unable to brush your teeth this first day, either because of the soreness or as recommended by your dentist.

More than likely, your dentist will give you a prescription mouthwash to use that evening. Then, follow the directions for its usage as directed by the label.

Also, rinse your mouth with salt water in the morning, before bedtime, and after you eat, drink, or use tobacco. This should be done on the day of your surgery, as well as the days afterward. The salt serves as a natural antibacterial, as well as an anti-inflammatory. Rinsing with the salt water can help prevent infection while easing any discomfort you may experience.

Change the Way You Brush

After the initial day, you should be able to brush your teeth. However, you may need to change a few things about the way you do so. 

If you have a stiff toothbrush, trade it out for a softer one. The softer the bristles, the less irritation you will experience while brushing your teeth. Also, you can avoid small tears that may result from using a brush with hard bristles.

As far as your toothpaste, make sure you use one without any abrasives, such as baking soda found in whitening toothpaste. Opt for a smooth paste, and make sure you rinse your mouth completely after using it.

Use a Water Pick Instead of Flossing

Even if your gums are still sore in the days ahead, you still need to ensure that the spaces between your teeth and around the implant sites are free from food particles. However, you may find that flossing irritates your gums.

Instead of using dental floss, use a water pick instead. The stream of water coming from the pick should be strong enough to remove any food without making your gums sore.

Using the above tips while performing oral hygiene after your surgery can help keep the implant sites clean and intact, as well as reduce the risk of infection. If you have any further questions, speak with the dentist who performed your dental implant surgery.


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About Me
Straight Teeth in Less Time

I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.

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