Dental Implant Aftercare – Mesquite, TX

Make Oral Hygiene A Priority 

Oral infections are one of the most common reasons why implants fail in the long term, but you can help keep them at bay as long as you:

• Brush all of your teeth, including your implant restorations, at least twice a day.
• Floss at least once daily, making sure to clean around your restorations.
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash every day. This can kill germs in areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Taking proactive measures to prevent injury or other damage to your mouth can ensure your implants last as long as possible. Be sure to:

• Always wear a mouthguard when you play sports. While you can get one for cheap from the sporting goods store, our custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable and provide more effective protection.
• Ask us about a nightguard if you have bruxism, a condition that causes you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth while sleeping. This appliance creates cushioning between your top and bottom teeth, reducing damage to your teeth and implants.
• Stop chewing on hard objects, like fingernails, ice, and hard candy. In addition, don’t use your teeth or implants as tools to hold bags, open packages, etc.

Schedule Regular Recall Visits

We typically recommend that patients with dental implants visit our Mesquite office for a dental checkup and cleaning at least three or four times a year, especially during the first year after implant placement, to make sure everything is proceeding as it should. Routine exams can alert us to any oral health problems while treatment is still relatively easy and cost-effective, and cleanings can help your pearly whites shine bright.

If you notice a problem with your implant in between appointments, it’s crucial that you contact us right away and schedule an emergency appointment. Some signs to watch out for include:

• Bleeding around the implant
• An implant that feels loose or noticeably shifts around
• Swelling or tenderness around an implant
• Sore or discolored gum tissue surrounding an implant

At Texas Dentistry, our goal is to help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy for as long as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you feel like something is amiss with your dental implants.