Caring For Your Mouth After Dental Implant Surgery
- Posted on: Apr 29 2021
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Dental implants are a great improvement over dentures because they’re permanent and they look better. But after you get your implants and leave the dentist’s office, there are some precautions you need to take while your mouth heals. Proper aftercare is an important part of having dental implants because it will reduce the risk of complications and help your mouth heal in a timely manner.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Recovery time following your dental implant surgery will vary depending on how many implants you have and if any bone grafting was done, and so forth. Also, some people will naturally recover faster than others. The recovery time can range from a couple of weeks to several months. However, after about two weeks, most patients can get back to their normal routine, if not sooner. It’s very important during the first few days after surgery that you carefully follow your doctor’s instructions. This will help speed up recovery and get you back to your normal life. It’s also important to notify your doctor immediately if you notice anything unusual, like excessive bleeding.
Oral Hygiene Is Very Important
Keeping your mouth clean should be a top priority post-surgery. A clean mouth will promote healing and prevent serious bacterial infections. You should still brush your teeth and floss, but be extremely careful around your new implants. Further, you should also rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution after eating to keep it clean. And speaking of eating, stick to soft foods for the first week after your surgery (your dentist will give you more specific diet instructions). Do not smoke or suck through a straw because this can slow down the healing process. Finally, the doctor might prescribe you an antibiotic to help prevent infection. It’s highly important to take the entire course of the antibiotic.
Pain Management After Dental Implant Surgery
One of the most frequent questions asked about dental implant surgery is how much pain will there be during recovery. The pain is typically mild to moderate and can be managed with many over-the-counter pain medicines available. Before your surgery, let your doctor know if you have any allergies to pain medications.
In addition to pain, you might experience some swelling, redness, and/or bruising around the implant area. You can use ice packs, wrapped in a dishtowel, to ease any swelling. Apply the ice pack for no longer than twenty minutes at a time. Any redness or bruising you might experience will resolve on its own after a few days. If you don’t see signs of improvement or experience worsening symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
If you’re thinking about dental implants and are in the Franklin Square area of Long Island, call your family dentist, Clocktower Dental Associates, to make an appointment today.
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