Recovering from a Dental Implant? Here is what to do.
Once you’ve gotten through your dental implant surgery, you’ll have to take care of your mouth, so your recovery is easy and quick.
Here are some post-dental implant tips:
1. Take It Easy
After your dental surgery appointment, take the rest of the day off to get some rest. If the dentist gave you a sedative, you’ll likely still feel drowsy. Therefore, you shouldn’t do anything where you’ll have to concentrate, such as driving. You should also avoid strenuous activities. Don’t lift or bend anything that could dislodge the blood clots and lead to bleeding. When it’s time for you to go to bed, elevate your head using extra pillows.
2. Follow Instructions
Your dentist may tell you to avoid brushing and mouthwash at first since your mouth might be too sensitive for standard oral hygiene at this point. They may tell you to avoid brushing the tender area, but to clean your other teeth as you usually would. They may have you rinse with salt water using eight ounces of warm water mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3. Apply Ice
You may have bruises or swelling of your face, which is normal. Apply ice to your jaw for 30 minutes, remove for 20 minutes, and repeat for the first 24 hours. If both sides of your mouth had surgery, apply the ice to each side of your mouth, switching from side to side. Your swelling should lessen after a few days. If it becomes worse, you notice pus, or you have a fever, it could be an infection. Let your dentist know immediately.
4. Guard the Blood Clot
Do your best not to disturb the clot as it’s healing the wounds in your mouth. Therefore, don’t drink carbonated beverages, alcohol or drink from a straw. Also, don’t smoke for a few days after your operation and try to avoid spitting.
5. Be Careful of What You Eat
Soft, cool foods after your procedure are good. Some solid options are:
Applesauce
Yogurt
Instant oatmeal
Lukewarm soup
Avoid foods too cold, hot, chewy, tough or spicy.
6. Take All Pain Medicines
You will probably need pain medicine at first to manage your pain. In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs and acetaminophen are fine, but in other cases, your dentist might need to prescribe you something stronger.
7. Pay Attention
Keep a lookout for fever, infection or swelling that lasts more than a couple days. Also, pay attention to your breathing or swallowing for any troubles. You could also suffer an allergic reaction to the anesthetic the dentist gave you. If so, contact your dentist immediately, and go to the ER.
8. Follow-up
Be sure you show up to all your post-surgery follow-up scheduled appointments so the staff at Esteem Dental can make sure you’re properly healing.