What Your Dentist Wants You to Know About Dental Implant Aftercare

Investing in dental implants can be the healthiest thing that you can do for your dental health. Replacing missing teeth is necessary. Dental implants are the gold standard in dental replacements. Knowing how to care for your new implants can improve your oral health for a long time. Here are some pointers that you must know about proper aftercare for your new dental implants.

What to do right away

Aftercare will start as soon as the patient gets the implants. Avoid hot drinks and foods because the temperature will stress the mouth tissues even more. Wait for these soft tissues to heal a little before enjoying hot foods and drinks. Drink cold water for the first days. This helps with swelling, bleeding, and pain.

Maintaining a clean mouth that is free from bacteria is the goal during recovery. Keep fingers out of the mouth. Use a warm saltwater solution as a mouthwash. This solution can lower bacterial activity in the mouth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing the neighboring teeth. Wait a few days before brushing or flossing around the implant site.

On bleeding

Expect some minor bleeding after getting dental implants. The dentist may ask the patient to apply pressure on the implant site. Do so by biting down on a sterile gauze pad for about one hour. Remove the pad as gently as possible. Get a new gauze pad and repeat this for another 30 minutes. Bite on tea bags because they have tannic acid that can help clot the blood.

Refrain from rinsing the mouth for a while. Stop sucking through straws or spitting. These activities may disturb and dislodge the clotted blood in the implant site. This could cause bleeding.

On swelling

Bruising or swelling after getting dental implants is natural. There will be swelling a day after the implant procedure. It will reach its peak after two to three days. Reduce the swelling by holding ice packs wrapped in a cloth to the cheek of the implant placement. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes and rest the area for 10 minutes. Applying moist heat on the cheek while resting can bring back blood circulation and help reduce swelling.

On pain

There will be mild pain after getting dental implants. The dentist may suggest taking pain relievers before the anesthetic fades. Then, take them according to the dentist’s instructions or the first two days after the implant surgery. Over-the-counter pain relievers will be enough for this type of pain.

On drinking and eating

Staying hydrated is important after getting dental implants. Do not consume spicy foods or alcohol. These substances can irritate the tissues. It is ideal to wait for the anesthesia to fade first before eating anything. Choosing healthy foods can make the site heal faster. The nutrients can help the dental implants fuse better with the jawbone and gum tissues.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Red Bluff, CA

Dental implants may become successful with proper aftercare

Restoring your missing teeth and self-esteem is possible with dental implants. The procedure may take time to complete, but the results will be worth it. Proper aftercare can lead to the success of these restorations. Working with your dentist can help you enjoy your dental implants for a long time.

Request an appointment or call Randal S. Elloway DDS, Inc at 530-527-6777 for an appointment in our Red Bluff office.

Related Posts

What Full Mouth Dental Implants Are

Full mouth dental implants are an option that many patients choose when they need to replace their missing teeth. Our smile is the first impression we have when meeting a new person. We all want that impression to be warm and welcoming. When our smile is somewhat imperfect, we tend to lack confidence and feel…

How Does A Dental Implant Compare To Other Tooth Replacement Options?

Advances in dentistry have made it possible to replace missing teeth with dental implants that are more similar to natural teeth than other teeth replacement options. Many people lose teeth due to gum disease, decay, and injury. Losing teeth often lead to numerous negative consequences. It can affect your smile, weaken your jawbone, and alter…

The Process Of Getting A Dental Implant After A Tooth Extraction

Most people want to have dental implants right after dental extraction. Replacing the lost tooth is a priority. This can prevent more complications as the mouth heals. Understanding the process of getting implants after dental extraction can help prepare you for your appointment. Here are the details about getting dental implants after a dentist removes…

Randal Elloway, DDS

Share
Published by
Randal Elloway, DDS

Recent Posts

How Impacted Wisdom Teeth May Lead to Infection

If your wisdom teeth have begun to emerge, it is time to speak to your…

14 hours ago

The Risks That Wisdom Teeth Are in Hard to Clean Areas

When you reach your 20s, wisdom teeth should emerge. This third set of molars come…

1 week ago

How Wisdom Teeth Extraction Can Help Prevent Gum Disease

Many dentists recommend that patients have their wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars,…

2 weeks ago

Everything You Need To Know about Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full mouth reconstruction can restore the smile's functionality, appearance, and health even when multiple issues…

2 weeks ago

What Are Wisdom Teeth Cysts?

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, it may be time to think about visiting a…

3 weeks ago

Commonly Asked Questions About Wisdom Teeth Removal

Getting your wisdom teeth out can be a scary event. The thought of going through…

1 month ago