What You Should Know After Dental Implant Recovery – Advice from Ontario Dental Center

Definitely not. Flossing is just as important—if not more important—after getting a dental implant. The gums around your implant must stay clean and plaque-free to prevent peri-implantitis (a gum infection similar to gum disease). Use floss, interdental brushes, or water flossers daily to clean around the implant and keep your gums healthy. Dr. Patel can recommend the best tools based on your individual needs.

Even after full recovery, certain habits can undermine your dental implant. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors—it reduces blood flow and can lead to bone loss around the implant. Grinding your teeth at night can also put stress on the implant. If you grind, ask Dr. Patel about a custom night guard. And remember to avoid using your teeth to open things or chew on hard objects, as these habits can damage both the implant and crown.

Routine checkups are essential to keep your implant in top shape. After healing, you should continue seeing Dr. Patel at least twice yearly—or more frequently if recommended—for cleanings and exams. These visits allow him to check that the implant, surrounding gum tissue, and adjacent teeth remain healthy. Skipping visits could mean missing early signs of trouble that could be easily fixed.