Dental implants are revolutionary dental prosthetics that can mimic the look and function of a natural tooth almost perfectly. These prosthetics are anchored directly into your jawbone, making them as secure and resistant to stressors as your natural teeth.

To get a dental implant placed, you will need to undergo surgery. During this procedure, your dentist will place a titanium implant screw into your jawbone. The false tooth will then be attached to the top of this screw. This surgery can be rough on some patients, but there are many things you can do to make it easier. Here is a brief timeline of what to expect after implant surgery and some tips to help you speed up your recovery.

What to Expect After a Dental Implant

The First 48 Hours

As soon as your implant surgery is over, your dentist will place a piece of soft gauze over the surgical site. You should keep that gauze in place for the next 30 minutes, using steady, firm pressure to keep it in place.

It is normal for your surgical wounds to ooze for up to 48 hours after your surgery. The bleeding should slow down significantly after the first hour. If it does not, you can bite down on a teabag to release tannic acid and shrink the blood vessels around the surgical site.

At this stage, you should take over-the-counter medications to manage your pain. Follow your dentist’s instructions regarding dosage timing and amounts. You can also apply a cold compress to your jaw every 20 minutes for additional pain relief.

Take care to avoid strenuous activity during this time. Straining yourself too much could reopen your wounds and force you to start the healing process again. You should also restrict yourself to soft foods until your implant sore heals more and no longer hurts.

The First Week

If you follow your post-operative instructions carefully, you should start feeling better 3 to 4 days after your procedure. At this time, you can start to decrease your use of pain medications slowly. Some patients experience more discomfort than others and may need pain medication for up to a week. Always follow your dentist’s instructions regarding pain medication.

Your first follow-up appointment should take place 7 to 10 days after your implant surgery. If your dentist approves, you can resume your regular diet at this time.

Total Healing Timeline

It will take a few months for your dental implant to finish healing. During this time, your body will grow new bone around your implant and begin to treat it as if it was just another part of your body. This process is called osseointegration, and it allows your new implant to anchor itself properly to your jawbone.

Your total healing time might be slightly longer if you require additional preparatory procedures such as sinus lifts or bone grafts. Be sure to keep up with your oral hygiene to avoid infection and ensure optimal outcomes.

General Tips for Recovery After Getting a Dental Implant

After your dental implant surgery, follow these guidelines to ensure a better recovery.

1. Rest

After implant surgery, your body will need time to heal. Take a few days off work or school to give yourself the downtime you need to recover.

Take care to avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting or things that could get you hit in the face. These things could disturb the implant site and reopen your surgical wounds. After you feel better, you can slowly ease yourself back into your usual routine.

2. Eat Soft, Nutritious Food

Your mouth will be sore after dental implant surgery, especially during the first 48 hours after you leave your dentist’s office. During this time, you will need to stick to very soft foods that require little to no chewing. After the first two days, you can begin to incorporate foods that require slightly more chewing back into your diet.

Avoid very hot or cold food or drink while you are still healing to avoid causing yourself pain and disrupting blood flow to the implant site. You should also avoid spicy foods for the same reasons.

Steamed vegetables are good choices because they are easy to chew, and their nutritional content is high. Smoothies and protein shakes are also good choices but do not drink them through a straw. Instead, use a spoon to minimize the chance of dislodging blood clots at the extraction site.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids during your recovery helps you flush out the toxins in your body and build new tissue over your implant site.

Be sure to sip your fluids straight from the glass and not through a straw. The suction generated when you drink from a straw can dislodge blood clots around your implant site and make it difficult for that area to heal.

You should also avoid caffeine and alcohol during your recovery period. These substances can dehydrate your body and counteract your efforts. Alcohol has also been shown to slow oral healing, making the problem even worse.

4. Use Ice Packs

Cold compresses are your best bet when recovering from any oral surgery. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to your jaw for 20-minute intervals whenever you need to control pain or swelling around your implant site. The cold will soothe the pain and constrict your blood vessels, keeping any bleeding at the site under control.

5. Use Saltwater Rinses

Saltwater rinses help control infection and soothe any irritation in your mouth after oral surgery. To make one, combine 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Dissolve the salt in the water, then swish the solution in your mouth for around 30 seconds. When you are finished, spit the liquid out. You can repeat this process as often as you need to during your recovery.

6. Avoid Smoking

Smoking slows your body’s ability to heal itself by restricting its access to oxygen, prolonging the time it will take for your implant post to successfully integrate with your bone. Try to quit smoking if you can. If this is not possible, restrict the number of tobacco products you consume in a day. The less you smoke, the better your implant outcomes will be.

7. Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene

Recovering from dental implant surgery is painful, but it is critical that you keep up with your oral hygiene during the healing process. Continue to brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you usually would while your implant site heals. Follow your dentist’s instructions to keep the surgical area clean.

Visit One of the Best Dental Offices in Mississauga for Implants

Getting a dental implant can be life-changing, and if you choose the right dental office, your recovery will be quick and virtually painless. Visit Trillium Smile Dentistry for quality dental implants in Mississauga. Our staff will ensure that you are kept comfortable and well-informed before, during, and after your implant surgery. Contact us today at 905-828-9894 or through our online form to book an appointment or inquire about tooth implant costs. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our services.

Taking children to the dentist is rarely an easy task. Between scheduling issues, unique dental concerns, and managing your child’s anxiety, you may find that these appointments are far more challenging than your own.

Visiting a good children’s dentist (also known as a pediatric dentist) can make this process significantly easier. These professionals are trained in treating young patients and can employ strategies that will make each trip to the dentist less stressful. Here are ten ways a children’s dentist can improve this experience for both you and your child.

10 Ways a Children’s Dentist Can Help with Your Kid’s Dental Needs

1. Be Patient with Your Child

Many children experience a lot of anxiety around dental appointments, especially when they are very young. The experience of visiting the dentist is new to your child, and they may resist going or exhibit challenging behaviours while at the office.

Children’s dentists offer gentle reassurance to get your child to relax inside the clinic. They know this may take extra time, and many will schedule slightly longer appointments for child patients to account for this.

2. Treat Tongue-Tie in Babies

Tongue-tie is a common problem in children. It is caused by a frenulum (the tissue that anchors the tongue to the bottom of the mouth) that is too short, restricting the movement of the tongue. This may make it difficult to breastfeed, swallow, or speak.

A children’s dentist can quickly cut the frenulum on a tongue-tied baby using a small handheld laser. This procedure is painless and involves minimal bleeding, allowing you to easily correct this anatomical problem while your child is still young.

3. Promote Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is just as important for children as it is for adults. In fact, it is even more crucial. Good habits established in childhood will often continue into adult life.

Your child’s dentist will take the time to educate them on topics such as tooth decay, hygiene habits, and healthy eating. The more your child knows about why oral health and dental care are so important, the more likely they are to take care of their teeth and gums in the future. The dentist will also provide more gentle dental cleanings and may allow your child to take breaks during the procedure when needed, making it less stressful for them to have the tartar cleaned from their teeth.

4. Prevent Cavities

When your child’s oral hygiene is good, they will develop fewer cavities. With regular dental visits, any decay that develops will also be caught and treated early.

A children’s dentist will care for your child’s oral health throughout their development and teach them to do the same. They will diagnose and treat any cavities your child has, then offer advice on how to prevent these problems in the future. They can also administer preventive treatments like fluoride varnish and sealant application to strengthen your child’s teeth and make them more resistant to decay in the future.

5. Guide Your Kids Through the Teething Process

Teething can be a difficult time, especially for first-time parents. It is devastating to see your child in pain when you feel powerless to help them.

A children’s dentist can guide you through the teething stage. They can answer all your questions about topics like when your child will begin teething, how long it will last, which teeth will erupt first, and how best to manage your child’s pain. Not only does this give you actionable information you can use to navigate this situation, but it may also relieve some of your own anxiety surrounding this process.

6. Help Break Your Child’s Bad Dental Habits

Oral habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use are developmentally appropriate at a certain age, but they cannot go on forever. If your child does not stop these habits around age 2, the alignment of their teeth may be affected.

Dentists know how important it is to break those habits early and keep your child from continuing them as their permanent teeth begin to erupt. They can guide you through different strategies meant to help you wean your child off this behaviour, giving you the best chance of curbing it before it can take a toll on your child’s teeth.

7. Screen Your Child’s Orthodontic Needs

By the time your child is around 7 years old, many of their adult teeth will have erupted. Their dentist can examine these permanent teeth to predict the final alignment of your child’s bite and let you know how likely it is that they will need braces. Many parents find this advanced warning very helpful.

8. Help with Dental Emergencies

Active children are prone to dental injuries from falls, rough contact during sports, and other physical impacts. Because of this, it is not unlikely that your child will need emergency dental care at some point before they grow up.

Most children’s dentists also serve as emergency dentists with options to book urgent appointments when needed. You will know exactly where to take your child when a dental emergency happens, ensuring timely treatment and giving you valuable peace of mind.

9. Encourage Lifelong Oral Care

Early experiences are an extremely important part of your child’s development. If your child’s first few dental visits are stressful and frightening, that impression may stick with them for life and make it hard for them to access the dental care they need.

A child-friendly dentist can give your child a positive outlook on dental care that will set them up for good oral health for life. These professionals create a fun, comfortable atmosphere for your child’s dental care, giving them that all-important positive foundation.

10. Engage Your Kids in Their Own Dental Health

Most children are fearful of unknown experiences, but they are also curious by nature. A children’s dentist knows how to harness that curiosity to make dental appointments more engaging and less scary.

They might let your child touch and hold their tools before the dentist uses them in your child’s mouth. If they are particularly anxious, it may help for them to see the tools used on a parent first to show that they are safe and effective. This gives your child the chance to learn more about how dentistry works and why it is never a scary experience with the best dentists.

Visit Top Children’s Dentists at the Best Dental Clinic in Mississauga

You take your children’s dental care seriously, and so do we. At Trillium Smile Dentistry, our children’s dentists do everything they can to provide a superior experience for their young patients. We also offer direct billing, so you can easily use your dental insurance to cover your children’s eligible dental expenses. Call us at 905-828-9894 or contact us online today to book an appointment for your child and set them up for better oral health for life.

Also Read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Family Dentist