Dental implant aftercare is a vital part of any surgery, as this will determine how successful the healing process is. This is especially true for oral surgery, such as dental implants, as the mouth harbours a lot of bacteria and the need for fully-functioning teeth is somewhat of a necessity.
The initial period following dental implants procedures is very important, as this will be the time where extra precautions need to be taken to avoid complications. So, therefore, poor aftercare practices could prevent your dental implant from healing correctly, as well as lead to several short-term and long-term complications.
In this post, we’ll discuss aftercare following your treatment, provide a better idea of how long dental implants tend to heal, as well as why good oral hygiene practices will be essential from now on.
The initial period after any medical procedure such as surgery is make or break in regards to how well you can expect the area to heal. Or in this case, how well your dental implant integrates with your jaw bone. If you fail to listen to your dentist’s instructions and just go back to your regular habits, then it’s safe to say that you’re going to have a few problems. The following tips will help your dental implant to heal as successfully as possible, with minimal hassle.
Eating and Drinking: Only have cold drinks and avoid eating until the local anaesthetic has worn off. No hot food or drinks for the first day, and don’t attempt to rinse the area. Although it may be more challenging to eat for the first few days, it’s important to get plenty of nourishment and water during this period as it will help with the healing process. The easiest way to do so with minimal difficulty is by choosing soft foods and chewing on the side of your mouth that’s not housing the dental implant.
Pain and Swelling: You will experience some pain and swelling after the procedure, which can be managed with a combination of painkillers and apply an ice pack to your face for the first 48 hours. If you continue to experience a lot of pain, then you should contact your dental implant specialist just to be sure. You may also have been prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, so it’s vital that you take these as and when you should.
Exercise: You should avoid strenuous activity and exercise for at least the first 48 hours. If after this period you feel any throbbing pains or bleeding while exercising it’s a good idea to give yourself a few more days to rest.
Wearing a Prosthesis: If you wear full or partial dentures, you should avoid doing so for ten days as this will put unwanted pressure on the implant. This will have been discussed during your treatment planning.
When it comes to the success of your dental implant, it’s important to note two different milestones. Firstly, when the surgical area is healed enough to resume your regular oral hygiene regime (after 3-4 weeks). And secondly, the point at which your dental implant has fully integrated with your jaw bone (4-6 months).
It can be easy to assume that although you’re back to your regular eating, drinking, and exercise habits that your dental implant is entirely ‘healed’. But in reality, it will be quite some time before it is completely integrated. Therefore it’s essential for you to be wary of certain foods (gobstoppers and chew toffee might be pushing it) and maintain a high-level of oral hygiene.
Are you in need of a permanent solution for missing teeth? At Blue Light Dental Clinic, we provide customers with bespoke scientifically-engineered dental implants. Get in touch today to book a consultation!
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