Whether you’re considering dental implant treatment or you’ve already had your tooth implants inserted, it’s a good idea to keep up-to-date with the latest aftercare recommendations. After all, without following the right advice, you could be putting the health – and appearance – of your smile a risk.

Being a leading dental practice in Pontefract, our team of professional dentists work hard to provide the latest treatments and recommendations for our patients. Whether it’s advising against a treatment that isn’t in your best interest or suggesting better ways to care for your mouth, teeth and gums, we’ll help you enjoy a healthy, happy smile. Today, we’re focusing on tooth implant aftercare and how we can look after your teeth following this common restorative procedure.

Dental implants explained

As some of our patients may be new to the idea of tooth implants, we’ll briefly cover what they are and how they work. Tooth implants are simply permanent false teeth that are implanted into the gums and underlying jaw bones. Over time, this ‘fuses’ together to provide a firm foundation for the implant.

Reasons for dental implants

People can lose their teeth for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s down to illness or injury. Other times, it’s a case of poor oral hygiene. And in yet more cases, genetics can play a part. Whatever the reason, our dentists will help restore your smile without judgement – only advice.

Caring for dental implants

There are lots of things to bear in mind when you have dental implants:

• They are placed in two parts; the root, and then the crown. A healing period is needed in between, to ensure you have that solid foundation. During this healing period, you’ll have a temporary crown fitted and will need to make sure you stick to softer foods, keep your mouth clean, complete your course of antibiotics (if prescribed) and take any necessary pain relief.
• Minor surgery is involved for placement. This means you may experience some swelling, bleeding and tenderness afterwards. Avoiding food that’s too hot or cold, not touching the implantation site and not drinking alcohol or smoking in the first couple of weeks will all help with healing. Bear in mind that you may need either a local or general anaesthetic to place the implant, too.
• Aftercare doesn’t stop once healing does. You’ll still need to have regular dental check-ups, clean your teeth twice a day, and look out for signs of change (such as bleeding around the site).

Finally, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity while healing. This means gentle exercise only!

Booking a dental implant consultation

Eager to start your journey to a seamless smile? Talk to us about dental implants for smile restoration or book online today. Our team in Pontefract looks forward to helping you achieve that dream result.