Okay so, you’ve got through dental implant surgery and you’re probably feeling quite relieved and excited to be moving closer to a nicer-looking smile. But wait a minute… what about dental implant aftercare?
Having undergone oral surgery, you’re now entering a healing phase of several weeks or months to allow your body to recover before your restoration can be finalised with a dental crown.
This period is critical to the success of dental implants and relies heavily on following the post-op instructions given to you by your dentist.
To assist you during this time, we’ve put together a short guide to help you along the way, both on the day of dental implant surgery and the following weeks.
Remember, taking care of your dental implants starts immediately you arrive back home from the dental clinic, so, let’s jump in and take a look at what’s involved.
Dental Implant Aftercare – Practical Tips For Implant Success
Controlling the bleeding
It’s perfectly normal for the implant site to bleed or for your saliva to appear red for up to 72 hours following dental implant surgery. The best way to stem any bleeding is to place a piece of gauze onto the implant site and bite down for around an hour. You can repeat this every 5 to 10 hours, or when necessary, after returning home.
If bleeding is more prolific then try biting down on a moist tea bag instead. Not any old teabag, mind, but specifically a green tea bag.
Green tea contains tannic acid which causes blood vessels to constrict, making it easier for blood clots to form.
Dental implant aftercare and pain management
Once the effects of the anaesthesia have worn off, you may feel pain or discomfort. This can usually be eased by taking Paracetamol as instructed on the package.
Usually, pain associated with dental implants surgery eases within 4 days. Some patients may also experience slight stiffness of their throat and difficulty in swallowing after surgery. If this persists for longer than 4 days, then contact your dentist who may be able to prescribe something stronger.
Minimise bruising and swelling
Bruising and swelling tends to appear a couple of days following surgery. In the case of a sinus lift, the bruising is often around the eyes and nose and will disappear of its own accord with 2 to 3 days.
You can help reduce swelling by placing an ice pack on your cheek close to the affected area. Keep it on for 15-20 minutes a time with a break in between and repeat the process when necessary for up to 48 hours after implant dental implant surgery. OTC painkillers such as Ibuprofen, contain anti-inflammatories which may also help reduce any swelling.
Other ways to help include; drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated and sleeping in a propped up position.
Take some rest
On the day of surgery take things easy and get some rest once you get home. You should also avoid physical exertion and vigorous exercise for a week. A major part of your healing takes place when you’re asleep so be sure to get a full 8 hours of sleep where possible.
Most patients who have undergone mild to moderate surgery are often able to return to work the following day provided their job doesn’t involve a lot of bending or lifting.
Eating and drinking post-surgery
Many of the questions relating to dental implant aftercare are often about eating and drinking.
For your dental implants to heal properly it’s important to treat them as gently as possible after surgery.
If your surgery was moderate, we recommend eating soft foods for the first week such as mashed potato, scrambled eggs, and soups. For more complex surgery you may need to remain on soft foods for up to 6 weeks. Protein shakes, pureed foods and smoothies are a good way of incorporating essential vitamins and getting the nutrition your body needs. Most importantly, it’s important to avoid eating hard, sticky or crunchy foods.
It’s also critical to avoid alcohol for at least 6 weeks following dental implant surgery as this interferes with osseointegration (the vital process where bone tissue fuses with the dental implants), Unfortunately when a bone fails to integrate, it will cause implant failure.
Maintain good oral hygiene
We can’t stress enough the importance of practising proper oral hygiene after getting dental implants. The number one cause of implant failure is infection so it’s vital that your teeth and gums are kept clean to enable the soft tissues to heal.
It may be too painful to open your mouth wide on the day of surgery but by day two, you should resume your regular oral hygiene routine. We also advise gently rinsing your mouth with salt water every few hours to keep infections at bay.
Give up smoking
Under no circumstances should you smoke for at least 8 weeks following dental implants surgery. Similar to alcohol, smoking interferes with healing. But in addition it can also cause infection and may prevent osseointegration from taking place altogether. Ideally, patients are recommended to give up smoking completely.
Visit your dentist regularly
It may be necessary to visit the dentist after 14 days to have any stitches removed. Even if you have self-dissolving stitches it’s important to maintain regular visits so that your dentist can check if healing is progressing as it should.
Keep an eye on your dental implants and if you spot any signs of infection, contact your dentist right away.
So, there you have it. All you need to know about dental implant aftercare. Follow this guide and hopefully, your implant will be successful.
If you’re considering dental implants then look no further than No Gaps Dental. We provide high-quality dental implants at affordable prices as well as payment plans to help you spread the cost of treatment. Why not schedule a consultation to see if implants are a suitable treatment for you.
Call us now at (02) 8806 0227
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.