What Your Dentist Wants You to Know About Dental Implant Aftercare

What Your Dentist Wants You to Know About Dental Implant Aftercare from Novel Smiles in McLean, VAInvesting 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 McLean, VA

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 Novel Smiles at 703-942-8882 for an appointment in our McLean office.

Related Posts

A Dental Implant Is A Permanent Tooth Replacement

Do you need a dental implant? Read on to learn more about this type of dental restoration. Removable partial dentures and a fixed dental bridge not supported by implants are not considered permanent restorations. However, a dental implant restoration is considered permanent, as it essentially uses the same structure as a natural tooth.The benefits of…

Securely Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

The introduction of dental implants has provided a solution to tooth replacement that goes beyond mere function to address the core of personal well-being. Loss of teeth has an impact on a lot more than just dental health — it impacts chewing, talking ability, and confidence. This is where dental implants come into play as…

What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Implant?

Studies show that dental implants remain the gold standard in dental restorations. These dental replacements are the most stable ones that you can get. It may be invasive, but once it heals well, you will have good dental function again. Here are the details about the process of getting dental implants.The dentist will examine the…