Dental Implant Aftercare | Implant Cleaning, Brushing & Flossing (2024)

FAQs

Dental Implant Aftercare | Implant Cleaning, Brushing & Flossing? ›

Use a Soft Nylon Brush

After Placement of Dental Implants. Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound for 24 hours. After 24 hours you may resume brushing your teeth, but be careful not to brush directly over the implant, but do be sure to adequately brush all sides of the surrounding teeth.

Oral Hygiene Care

Keep the implant site and surrounding teeth clean to prevent infection and promote healing. Immediately following the procedure, avoid brushing or flossing the implant site for the first 24 hours.

If you were given a prescription for mouth rinse, follow the instructions on the prescription. If you were not given one, rinse gently with warm salt water twice daily. You can brush your teeth the day after your dental implant surgery, but be careful not to traumatize the area where the surgery was performed.

Avoid opening packaging, bottles, or cans with your implants. DON'T spit or suck through straws immediately following surgery. DON'T rush back to eating normal foods. After surgery, you should stick to soft foods like creamy soups, milkshakes, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, applesauce, and mashed potatoes.

After dental implant surgery, it is important to take it easy for a few days. Avoid strenuous activity and chewing hard foods. Eat soft foods and drink plenty of fluids. Take pain medication as needed but avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, which can thin your blood and increase bleeding risk.

According to many oral health professionals, the need to floss is just as important once you have had dental implants placed. It is true that prosthetic teeth cannot develop cavities, but keeping your gums and the teeth around the implant healthy will help you enjoy continued oral health and prevent further tooth loss.

Most patients begin to experience significant improvements in their gums within a week of surgery, and their gums will be completely healed within 2 weeks of their treatment.

Non-Abrasive Toothpaste: Choose a toothpaste that's non-abrasive to avoid scratching the surface of the implant or the crown. Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride helps strengthen the surrounding teeth and prevent decay, which is vital for the longevity of your implant.

How often should I floss my implants? ›

It is necessary that flossing occur at least once a day but preferably twice or more. Many dentists recommend that individuals with dental implants clean between their teeth after every meal, as this is most effective in safeguarding smiles and ensuring their longevity.

The night of surgery, use the prescribed chlorhexidine oral rinse before bed if it was prescribed. The day after surgery, the chlorhexidine oral rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential to reduce the risk of infection. Start rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. salt with 1 cup water) every 2-3 hours. Continue this for several days, then rinse 3-4 times a day for the next 2 weeks.

Successful osseointegration is a significant milestone in the healing process of dental implants. Some signs that indicate osseointegration is going well include the stability of the implant, the absence of pain or discomfort, and the ability to chew and bite without any problems.

The night of surgery rinse with warm salt water (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water); do not use mouth rinses such as Scope or Listerine. The day after surgery warm salt water rinses should be used at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals.

The frequency of rinsing should be every 1-2 hours for at least 10-14 days, starting on the day following oral surgery. The chief benefit from rinsing with salt water is its mechanical irrigation of plaque and food debris away from the surgical site.

Two days following your procedure, begin brushing the implant site using a child's toothbrush (soft bristles). Brush the front, back, sides, and top areas of the implant site. DO NOT use an electric toothbrush. Do NOT floss the surgical area for 2 weeks.

Using a Straw

Following your procedure, a blood clot will form over the implant site as it heals. The suction of drinking through a straw can dislodge this clot, resulting in an intensely painful condition called dry socket. Avoid straws for at least three days.