05 Nov 2023
Getting dental implants to replace missing teeth is one of the best things you can do for your oral health and quality of life. Implants will help you speak, chew, and smile like you used to and help keep your jawbone from degrading.
However, having implants placed can be a stressful process. You will need to undergo invasive oral surgery to make it happen, and recovering properly after that surgery is key to making your new implants last. Our guide will help you navigate the healing process comfortably and keep your new implants in peak condition.
Dental Implant Aftercare Tips
- 1. Avoid Hot Drinks and Foods. The gums in the area around your implant will still be healing after your surgery. Hot food and drink can irritate these sensitive tissues and slow the healing process. Let items like soup, coffee, or tea cool down before you consume them for the first few days of your recovery.
- 2. Brush with Care. Your dentist may advise you not to brush near the implant site at all for the first few days. When you are cleared to resume brushing in that location, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush very gently in the affected area. Be thorough and make sure all visible food particles have been removed from that spot.
- 3. Avoid Hard Foods for a While. You will eventually be able to eat hard foods again with your implant in your mouth, but it is best to stick with a soft diet for a few days after your surgery. This will minimize pain and bleeding and help ensure that your surgery is successful.
- 4. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene. Good oral hygiene is important even when your implant site is still healing. Continue to brush and floss every day. If your dentist prescribes fluoridated mouthwash for you, use it as directed to keep your implant site clean. Otherwise, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water to achieve a similar effect.
- 5. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol. Smoking and drinking alcohol can both slow the implant healing process. Reduce your smoking and alcohol consumption as much as possible in the months after your surgery, especially in the first few weeks. Give up either or both if you can.
- 6. Schedule Regular Visits to the Dentist. Regular check-ups allow your dentist to monitor your healing and make sure that you are not developing any serious complications. See your dentist at least once every six months after your surgery. If possible, consider going every three months while your implant site is healing.
- 7. Floss Daily. Bacteria can easily accumulate around your implant site if you do not take care to keep it clean. Flossing disrupts these bacteria and prevents infections and gum disease. Floss at least once a day, and consider using floss designed specifically for people with dental implants.
- 8. Avoid Strenuous Activities. Strenuous activities that get your blood pumping may slow your healing, too. Avoid heavy lifting, sports, exercise, and any other activities that will speed up your blood flow. Take a few days off from work or school to rest and relax while your body recovers.\
- 9. Use the Right Brushing Technique and Tools. Brushing too hard or using hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage the surface of your Implants. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and take care to be gentle. You do not need to apply force to achieve a thorough clean.
- 10. Avoid Sugar. Plaque is a biofilm created when the bacteria in your mouth consume sugars from the foods you eat. Reduce your sugar consumption as much as possible to prevent tooth decay and gum disease and keep your new implant intact.
Dental Implant Care After Surgery
Taking care of yourself after implant surgery will help you recover more quickly and help you avoid complications. Pay special attention to:
- Bleeding. Your implant site may bleed slightly for the first 48 hours after your tooth implant procedure. If it does, place a wad of gauze on the area and hold it in place for around 20 minutes.
- Pain. It is normal to experience some pain in the days following your surgery. Your dentist Mississauga will prescribe pain medication to help relieve your discomfort.
- Swelling. Control any swelling around your implant site by applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area.
- Diet. Avoid eating hot, cold, hard, or sticky foods for the first few weeks after your implant is placed. Only resume your usual diet when your dentist says it is okay to do so.
- Oral Hygiene. Keep up with your usual oral hygiene routine while your mouth heals. Brush carefully around the surgical site and consider swishing with warm salt water after meals to keep the area clean.
- Antibiotics. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection at your surgical site. If you are prescribed any, be sure to take the full course. Do not stop taking the medication before your prescription ends.
Dos and Don’ts After Getting Dental Implants
Do:
- Follow a soft diet for the first few weeks after your surgery. Eat foods you will not have to chew, such as porridge, scrambled eggs, pudding, and lukewarm soup.
- Take all medications your dentist prescribes, including pain medication and antibiotics.
- Take the time you need to rest and recover. Do not attend work or school for the first few days after your surgery.
Don’t:
- Brush roughly around your surgical site.
- Disturb the surgical site with your fingers or tongue.
- Use a straw to drink any fluids. Sip from cups or use a spoon instead.
- Smoke or drink alcohol for the first few weeks after your surgery.
- Do any vigorous exercise. This includes lifting heavy things like moving boxes, groceries, or your children.
Get Beautiful Stress-Free Dental Implants
The recovery process that follows dental implant surgery may be difficult, but the results are more than worth it. By taking the right steps after your implant placement, you will speed up the healing process and set your new implant up for success.
Trillium Smile Dentistry is one of the leading dental clinics for tooth implants in Mississauga. If you are interested in learning more about tooth implant costs, what the surgery is like, or anything else on this topic, contact us today. We will be happy to arrange a consultation appointment for you.
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