Dental implant surgery goes a long way towards restoring your smile and oral function. But you need to maintain proper care to ensure the long term success of the implants.

You will be provided with post-operative instructions by your dentist after dental implant surgery Brisbane. Following these instructions will help reduce the risk of complications of the surgery. For example, there can be medications such as pain relievers or antibiotics prescribed to you. You also need to go for all the scheduled follow up appointments so that your dentist can monitor your progress. If there are any concerns, these can be addressed quickly. You have to practice good oral hygiene which includes brushing twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You have to pay attention to the implant site and the gum tissue surrounding it when you are brushing. You should not apply a lot of pressure. Circular motions can be used to clean around the implants. Flossing daily is also important when removing plaque and food particles around the implants and from between the teeth. You can use interdental brushes for this as well.

Antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.

Your dentist will recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash and you can follow the instructions on the label when using it. This will help eliminate bacteria and debris in hard to reach areas of the mouth. It will contribute to a healthy oral environment. Smoking and tobacco use should be avoided as these habits can have harmful effects on your oral health. It will also increase the risk of complications following the implant surgery. This is because the blood flow to the bone and gums is restricted by nicotine and it can slow down the healing process. This will interfere with the integration of implants with your jawbone. If you use tobacco products or if you are a smoker, you have to consider reducing the habit or quitting completely so that you can improve the chances of surgery success.

Maintaining a healthy diet is an important part of promoting oral health.

You can include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins to your diet so that your body has the right nutrients to repair tissues. It is best to avoid foods that are crunchy or sticky as these will exert a lot of pressure on the implants. And they can cause irritation of the surgical site. You can choose soft foods that are easy to chew in the initial stages of your recovery and then gradually introduce harder foods back into your diet. It is important to protect your dental implants from injury or trauma. To do this, you should avoid chewing or biting on hard objects like fingernails, ice and pens as it can damage the implants. If you engage in contact sports, you need to wear a mouthguard so that your teeth and dental implants can be protected from impact. If you grind your teeth at night, you can wear a nightguard so that damage to your natural teeth and implants can be prevented.