Dental Implant Aftercare- Tips for Optimal Healing and Long-Term Success
Dental implants are not a decision to be taken lightly. However, once you have healed from your dental implant surgery, it is unlikely that you will regret your decision. However, for the best results, you must take proper care of your implants after the surgery. For more information on dental implants in Tukwila, WA, consult a dentist today.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a reliable and successful method of replacing lost teeth. They are constructed of titanium and are implanted in the jawbone, where they gradually fuse with the bone. This provides a solid basis for a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Implants can also be used to support a denture supported by dental implants.
Aftercare tips for dental implants
You should anticipate being fully healed three to six months after your dental implant procedure. However, following these home care after dental implant surgery advice and your dentist’s recommendations, you may expect your implants to last the rest of your life.
- Let it heal
Eat nothing till the local anesthetic has gone off. This will most likely take a few hours. Allow the wound to heal as much as possible by leaving it alone. Keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgery site despite how tempting it may be. Resist the urge to “just check” on your healing progress. Take a day or two off from work to relax your body. Even if you do not have a tough profession, any exertion might hinder your recovery.
- Be gentle with your teeth.
Stick to soft meals and cold beverages for the first day following surgery. For the first several days, avoid hot drinks. Harder or chewier meals should not be introduced until day four. Reintroducing hard or crunchy foods should be done with caution, and you should pay attention to how your mouth feels as you recover.
The day following your implant procedure, resume cleaning your teeth. Apply particular care to the surgical site and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Expect seeping and minor bleeding during the first three days following surgery.
- Precautions
Take any antibiotics or pain relievers that your dentist has suggested. When your body is not fighting pain, it recovers more quickly. For the first 24 hours, occasionally apply ice to the afflicted region to reduce swelling. For at least two months following dental implant surgery, refrain from smoking or using tobacco products. Even better, take this as an opportunity to quit smoking entirely.
Speak to your dentist for more information. Contact your dentist if symptoms worsen after the first few days following surgery.
