Dental implants can make your smile look beautiful, and the best part is they look and feel just like your natural teeth. The first few weeks following your implant procedure are the most important when it comes to ensuring they fully integrate with your jaw bone with no problems. The following are some mistakes to avoid during this period:

#1: Cleaning or examining the area

It can be difficult to ignore a wound or something new in the mouth, and implants are no exception. Do your best to avoid probing the implant site with your tongue or any objects as the implant area heals. You must also be careful with oral hygiene practices. Attempting to vigorously brush around the site or clean it with tooth picks, water picks, or floss can lead to major injury or infection, which can result in failure of the implant. You can usually brush around the implant site within a few days of placement, but you must do so gently with a very soft bristled brush until the implant is fully healed and the crown is placed.

#2: Using tobacco products

Tobacco products, including both cigarettes and chewing tobacco, can be particularly detrimental during the few weeks following surgery. The main concern revolves around healing. Tobacco products inhibit circulation in the mouth. Poor circulation can lead to slower healing, as well as an increased chance of infection. Your best course of action is to cease the use of all tobacco products. Your dentist may also recommend that you avoid other items temporarily. For example, both alcohol and aspirin can act as a blood thinner, which can lead to increased bleeding that can affect healing at the implant site.

#3: Skipping routine hygiene

Just because implant can't get cavities doesn't mean you no longer have to visit a dentist. You need to continue brushing from the time the implant is placed, and you will also need to resume flossing and routine office cleaning visits once your crowns are placed upon the implant. The reasoning is simple – although implants can't get decay, plaque and calculus can build up on the implant. This can lead to gum disease and bone loss, which will eventually cause the implant to fail. Proper hygiene combined with regular cleanings to remove the plaque ensures that this doesn't happen.

Check out a website like http://www.2smileabout.com for more information and assistance with your dental hygiene.