Dental implants remain the gold standard of missing or damaged teeth replacement and in terms of aesthetics and functionality, there is nothing that even comes close. While there is much information available about the dental implant procedure, it’s equally as important to be up to speed with tooth implant post-operative care to help prevent any complications after surgery.
Why is this?
Once surgery has taken place, a dental implant needs to fuse with the surrounding bone. This can take between 2 to 6 months depending on how fast the body heals. Immediately after implant surgery, however, is when a patient is most at risk of infection or complications.
For this reason, it’s extremely important to follow any post-operative care instructions. With this in mind, the team at No Gaps Dental are going to share some of our top care tips that you should adhere to after undergoing dental implants. So, let’s take a look.
Tooth Implant Post-Operative Care Tips
Bleeding
Immediately after implant surgery, you will be sent away with some gauze to bite down on which you can remove once you arrive back home. If you experience a little bleeding after that, don’t worry, it’s normal.
Simply replace the gauze and bite down on it again for around 20 minutes until the bleeding stops. If bleeding persists, try placing an ice-pack on the surrounding jaw area and ring your dental implants dentist for further advice.
Swelling
It’s natural after dental implant surgery to experience some swelling and bruising. The extent of swelling depends on the complexity of your treatment and the length of surgery. We recommend placing an ice pack on your cheek closest to the dental implant site since this will help reduce the swelling.
Try and do this at regular intervals for 2-3 days after your dental implants procedure. For best results, wrap the ice pack in a towel and place it on your cheek leaving it in place for 15 minutes and then give yourself a 15-minute break.
Any bruising usually reaches its peak within 3 days of dental implant surgery. Both the swelling and bruising should calm down within a few days. It’s also a good idea to stretch out on your bed or sofa with your head elevated by 2-3 pillows to help ease swelling.
Pain medications
If your dentist has prescribed pain relief medications then do take the correct dosage according to the instructions. Normally Ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain killers will help you manage pain or discomfort – follow the instructions on the packet for best results. If you’re still in pain, then contact your dentist to enquire about stronger pain medications.
Antibiotics
If you have been prescribed antibiotics then be sure to complete the entire course. If for instance, you’ve undergone dental implant surgery in the morning, then start your antibiotics after lunch. Alternatively, if your surgery took place in the afternoon, then commence with your prescription, after dinner. Remember, the sooner you start, the quicker they will get into your system to fight any possible infection.
Oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene is critical to the success of any dental implant surgery. We would suggest that :
- You brush and floss your teeth as normal (even on the evening of surgery) taking care not to touch the surgery site for a couple of days. When you’re ready, be gentle as it will feel sensitive, and use a very soft toothbrush.
- Stick to a manual toothbrush for now as an electric toothbrush could disturb the site.
- Rinse your mouth 3 to 4 times a day with a saltwater solution to keep infections at bay.
- Chew on the other side to where the surgery took place. This keeps food away from the surgery site.
- Refrain from drinking any alcohol for a week after receiving your dental implants as this can prevent your gums from healing.
- If you’re a smoker, wait until the implant site has fully healed before smoking is resumed as this can damage the gum around your dental implants and increase the risk of infection.
Rest and Relaxation
Your body needs time to recover and rest from the surgery so now is not a good time to embark on a strenuous fitness regime or push yourself with a heavy workload. While you might feel well enough to head straight back to work after undergoing a dental implant, it’s always best to give your body a couple of days to recuperate where possible.
Diet
Although you can’t and shouldn’t follow your normal eating habits immediately after receiving dental implants, it’s important to ensure your body is getting the vitamins and minerals it needs.
In essence, you should look to consume enough of the ‘good stuff’ to keep your immune system healthy so that you remain less prone to infection. So foods and beverages like protein shakes, yoghurts, veggie smoothies, and even omelettes are a great way to do just that. Stick to a soft diet for a week and gradually introduce harder foods where possible.
Water
It’s important after any surgery (and that includes dental implant surgery) to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Rehydration helps tissues heal more quickly and with fewer complications.
Post-operative dental appointment
It’s vital to attend a follow-up appointment 1 to 2 weeks after undergoing dental implants surgery. This allows your dentist to remove any sutures and assess the healing process.
So, there you have it. Our top tooth implant post-operative care tips. To summarise, be sure to rest, maintain good oral hygiene, partake in a balanced diet including staying hydrated and take pain medication as prescribed.
If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, then why not contact the experienced team at No Gaps Dental. We provide high-quality dental implants at affordable prices and are here to answer any of your questions and concerns.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.