Did you know that modern dental implants can last upwards of 20 years with the right care? Some careful patients may find that their implants last a lifetime!
Of course, this is only true if you engage in proper dental implant aftercare. If you're preparing to head to surgery soon, here's what you should know about caring for your new pearly whites.
Immediate Aftercare
Once your implants are in place, your dentist will use sutures (stitches) to close the incisions. In the first 24 hours after your implant treatment, you may notice some common side effects of these incisions and stitches.
Bleeding
To address minor bleeding, look through the mirror and try to find where the bleeding is coming from. Apply pressure to the area using gauze or a tea bag. Remove and check after 5 minutes, if the bleeding does not stop, re-apply pressure and checking. If the bleeding is consistent and does not stop with pressure, seek medical attention.
If sinus related surgery was done, it is not uncommon to get nose bleeds.
If the amount of bleeding gets worse or doesn't stop, be sure to call your dentist.
Swelling
You'll likely notice inflammation around the incision site after you get dental implants.
Keep your head elevated and place an ice pack 20 minutes on/20 minutes off on your cheek to reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the best practices for ice therapy, including wrapping the ice in a towel before pressing it against your cheek.
Pain
Once the anesthetics begin to wear off, you may begin to notice pain around the incision site. Over-the-counter painkillers are usually enough to address this. If you're struggling with your pain, however, contact your dentist to see if you need stronger painkillers.
Bruising
While uncommon, it can happen. Rest assured that the bruising will eventually go away and there is nothing to worry about.
Foods and Drinks After Dental Implants
Your dentist will give you specific instructions about which foods and drinks are safe after your dental implant procedure. In general, you'll need to eat very soft foods like mashed potatoes and soup in the first 24 hours after your surgery. You'll also want to avoid drinking with a straw. Ice cream is a good choice as the cold from it provides an anti-inflammatory effect.
Once you begin to heal, you can start eating foods that contain less liquid, though you'll want to chew away from the implant site. You can return to your normal diet slowly over time as you feel comfortable.
Oral Hygiene After Dental Implants
There is no rinsing the day of surgery. You may rinse with a warm water and salt the next day, or with a prescribed mouth rinse.
You can also floss and brush with a soft manual toothbrush right after the procedure, though you'll want to avoid touching the surgical site while it's pained or swollen. Resume your usual dental care around the site once you feel okay doing so, but be sure to be gentle. Once the surgical site heals, you can care for your implants like you would your natural teeth.
Don't forget about your normal scheduled checkups as well. General preventative care can keep complications at bay, helping you enjoy your implants for longer.
Prepare for Dental Implant Aftercare
Your dental implant aftercare is an important part of your procedure. Start making plans before you head off to surgery!
Don't forget that professional check-ups also play a crucial role in your aftercare. Our dentists will help you maintain your dental health and ensure your comfort as you recover. Contact Sunray Dental Centre today to enjoy a more beautiful smile.