Five Steps to Take Care of Yourself After a Dental Implant Procedure
A dental implant is a great way to deal with one or more missing teeth. After you have invested in this permanent solution, there are some steps you can take to keep it in good shape and keep yourself healthy. When you have your implant done at California Dental Group, we will give you specific aftercare instructions for your needs, but you can also read on to learn five steps that are important to take after a dental implant.
- Leave it Alone
- Watch What You Are Eating and Drinking
- Do Not Be Alarmed by Typical Reactions
- Keep the Wound Clean
- Begin Flossing and Brushing as Normal as Soon as You Can
If you have had previous dental surgery, then you are likely prepared for how sensitive your mouth can be after a procedure. You should avoid touching or otherwise bothering the sight of your implant as much as possible until it is healed. The area is likely to feel both tender and strange, but you should fight the urge to touch or tamper with it. If you do, it could actually slow down the healing process.
Do not swill any type of liquid around in your mouth on the first few days after your surgery. Avoid hot foods or liquids. You will likely find it easier to eat soft foods for a few days, but even when doing that, work to avoid the implant area if possible. Clean it after the meal.
Swelling is normal. Light bleeding is normal. These are not issues you should be concerned about. If you are made uncomfortable by the swelling, ice packs on the outside of your face. If it bleeds, use gauze to absorb the blood without disturbing the wound. If bleeding or swelling lasts for longer than a few days, talk to your doctor.
In the days that follow the surgery, make sure you are doing everything possible to keep your mouth clean. You will likely get mouthwash from your dentist. Use this on the day of your surgery and for at least a week afterward. Follow the advice of your dentist on this. You can brush normally as soon as you are able to do so, but be careful around the affected area.
One of the many reasons that dental implants are such a popular type of cosmetic dentistry is because they look so similar to normal teeth – and they should be treated like them too. It is important to brush and floss them as you would normal teeth to ensure that they last as long as possible. They are a permanent solution, but if the gums are allowed to deteriorate, the implants may not last.
Do you have questions about dental implants? Are you ready to get started? Do you want to learn about alternative options to replace missing teeth? Then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 now to make an appointment.
