Dental implants are a tooth replacement solution that can bring you a whole host of benefits like improved appearance, comfort, and overall oral health. A dental implant is a type of anchor placed into your jawbone to support an artificial crown, providing a replacement for missing teeth that looks and feels like a natural tooth.
Like any other procedure, the best way to look after yourself and your new implants is to pay special attention to the immediate aftercare. Here are five handy tips for looking after your dental implants to ensure a speedy recovery that is free of complications!
1) Expect mild discomfort and swelling
It will not be uncommon for you to experience some mild discomfort and swelling after your dental implant procedure. So, if you are feeling a bit of pain and swelling in your mouth, do not worry!
Make use of ice packs – icing the side of your face can help bring down swelling, which in turn reduces the level of discomfort you feel. Your prosthodontist is also likely to prescribe you painkillers for the first few days after the procedure and you can take them as advised. If you experience any bleeding, remember that minor bleeding is not something to panic over – just use a gauze pad and monitor the situation.
2) Take note of the DOs and DON’Ts
Just like with any other surgical procedure, there will be a list of dos and don’ts for you to take note of. These usually include getting plenty of bed rest and avoiding any strenuous activities.
Therefore, after your dental implant procedure, try and get as much rest as possible to give your body time to recover. Take a break from exercising as physical activity can cause your surgical wound to become more painful and bleed. Moreover, avoid smoking and alcohol until your gums are fully healed as these substances could interfere with the healing process.
3) Make temporary adjustments to your diet
One of the main advantages of having dental implants is that you can eat most foods and drink like you normally would. However, this will only come after you have fully healed! Immediately after the implant surgery, you should avoid hot food and drinks as these will place additional stress on your mouth tissue. On the other hand, sipping cold water will be helpful for the first two days or so.
You should also avoid direct contact with the surgical area, which includes running your tongue over your new implant or biting down on the affected area. And of course, stay away from eating solid foods for the time being!
4) Maintain oral hygiene
Keep your mouth clean and bacteria-free after the procedure with a warm salt water mouthwash. Just mix a few teaspoons of salt with a cupful of warm water to make a basic antiseptic solution. Make sure not to swish the mouthwash too aggressively over the surgical site to prevent accidental injury and you should ensure that the water is not too hot.
While you should still brush your remaining teeth after your surgery, you must take care to avoid your new dental implants as they are still in recovery. You can use a small-headed toothbrush with extra soft and flexible bristles to brush your other teeth, until your gums have healed up enough for you to brush your dental implants as well.
5) Listen to your prosthodontist’s advice
Everyone has different dental conditions and thus undergoes their own personal recovery journey. This is why it is important for you to listen to your prosthodontist’s advice and follow their instructions carefully as they will be able to tell what is best for you. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled for you, so make sure to attend them diligently and communicate to your prosthodontist if you have any questions or concerns.
Hopefully, these tips will help you become more informed on the various aftercare steps after your appointment at the prosthodontics clinic in Brisbane. As you can see, these steps are quite easy to follow – so just listen to what your body and your prosthodontist have to tell you and you will have a smooth and speedy recovery!
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