If you’ve suffered from tooth damage or tooth loss, you may have considered dental implants. Giving the impression of a natural tooth, dental implants help bring your smile back and give you renewed confidence. They also give you all the other benefits a natural tooth would – such as structure to your face and the ability to chew as you once did with a full set of teeth.
While you can be assured of top-notch dentistry and support throughout from AP Smilecare, ensuring your dental implants sit well is up to you. Today on the blog, we’ll be giving you some tips on dental implant aftercare and how best to look after your new smile.
Post surgery – Day one
Resist the temptation to rinse your mouth after you’ve had your surgery, even if there is a small amount of blood from the procedure. If you do notice bleeding, place gauze over the area and apply gentle pressure while biting for five minutes. If the amount of bleeding causes any concerns, or the above does not appear to work, please get in touch with the team at AP Smilecare and we will advise you on what to do next.
Holding an ice pack to your cheek can help any swelling that may occur. Pain, while it shouldn’t be much of a problem, can be relieved with regular painkillers.
Only drink cold drinks and do not eat until the anaesthetic has worn off. After this, you can eat soft foods but hot drinks and hot food must be avoided for the first 24 hours. Avoid chewing with the dental implant for as long as possible.
Of course, it also goes without saying that you should avoid smoking and alcohol for the first 24 hours. These aggravate teeth at the best of times, let alone after mouth surgery. Excessive exercise is also best avoided.
Day two onwards
24 hours after your surgery you can begin rinsing your mouth. The ideal solution is as follows – warm salt water, made up of one teaspoon of salt in 200ml of cooled boiled water. Rinse carefully using this solution 3 to 4 times a day and after every meal.
After day two, continue rinsing your mouth with the salt solution, as described above. You should aim to rinse more frequently, around 6 times a day. You should also use the mouthwash prescribed by us here at AP Smilecare.
Keeping up your aftercare
Following these simple aftercare steps is extremely important. They help your tooth to recover as quickly as possible and prevent any complications. A clean mouth always heals more quickly, which is why we’ve highlighted the importance of regularly washing out your mouth.
At AP Smilecare, we make sure the process runs as smoothly as possible and give you all the information and support you need during the aftercare process. To find out about what the process involves, take a look at our webpage on dental implants. To book in for a consultation, call us on 01252 297 000
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting firmly on a gauze pad placed on the bleeding wound for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, to the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice for 20 min on and 20 min off when you are awake, as often as possible, for the first 48 hours.
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Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids. Soft foods with cool liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. We also recommend avoiding caffeine and alcohol for the first 24 hours as these can lead to dehydration. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. The prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any pain medication that you are allergic to or have been instructed by your doctor not to take.
Antibiotics
If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take them as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas, and always use a soft bristled tooth brush.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you engage in vigorous exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise. Light exercise is always recommended including walking and moving around. Inactivity can lead to significant generalized health problems
Wearing your Prosthesis
Often times, partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery, and we have you leave it out for several days. This will be discussed in the pre-operative consultation, and tailored to your individual healing and cosmetic needs.