4 tips to get your journey to better health through dental implants off to the best possible start

Dental implants for missing teeth are designed to look, feel, and “behave” like natural and healthy teeth. So, adjusting to and maintaining your implants is relatively straightforward and hassle-free, yet vitally important to protect your smile and this investment in your health and well-being. Below, Pasadena Periodontics is pleased to provide four tips to get your journey to better health and a better smile through dental implants off to the best possible start.

No. 1: Foods to support healing

As your implants heal, our team in Pasadena, California, will provide you with helpful recommendations to prevent early implant failures and encourage the growth of the implant(s) to the surrounding bony tissue. To ease any symptoms such as discomfort and swelling, we may restrict you to a liquid diet during the first couple of days following the surgical placement of these artificial tooth roots. Options like clear broth, protein shakes, and fruit smoothies (avoid the seeds!) are good. By the third or fourth day, incorporate soft foods into your diet. Add mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, creamy cheese, cooked cereal, and mashed fruit to your meal planning, and avoid any crunchy or chewy foods until we give you the “green light” for those.

No. 2: Behaviors that support healing

It’s generally advised to avoid any behaviors that could dislodge blood clots, increase your risk of bleeding, and delay your recovery. These habits and actions largely involve suction; for instance, you should not use a straw as the force from sucking up the drink can be a risk factor for the development of painful complications like a dry socket (which is a dislodged blood clot). Think of any habit that could place excessive force at the implant site and refrain from that, and always think in terms of being gentle when it comes to consuming foods and caring for your mouth as it heals.

No. 3: Avoiding peri-implantitis

Peri-implantitis is a complication that can lead to later-stage implant failures. This is the development of inflammation in the gums around the implant. It is often compared to gum disease and, like periodontal disease, can eventually break down the supportive bone. Your implant and its connected restoration can be lost when the bone deteriorates. Risk factors for this condition include poor oral hygiene and smoking or the use of other nicotine-containing products that can impede proper blood flow. It is important to take great care when cleaning the tissue around the implants. While restorations cannot become damaged like natural teeth, the supportive tissues around them certainly can! It’s also important to monitor for any changes that could be red flags for implant diseases, such as redness and swelling around the implants. Maintain any follow-up appointments as advised by our specialists, and contact us immediately when you notice concerning changes.

No. 4: Products for implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures

Since food particles can become trapped in the areas where the implant prosthetic attaches to the bone, the cleaning technique matters. And certain products tailored to your needs can be particularly helpful in improving the effectiveness of your technique. We may recommend floss threaders for hard-to-reach spaces, water flossers, or a small and rounded sulcus brush to reach around the gumline. Other products that may be incorporated include antimicrobial rinses and maintaining professional care at Pasadena Periodontics and your general dentist’s office, as advised. Our team in Pasadena, CA, welcomes the opportunity to help you and looks forward to your call at (626) 796-5386 today.

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