Dental implants involve surgery and a relatively long period of healing. A metal implant will replace your missing tooth’s roots and an artificial crown will take over its function and esthetic role. Getting a dental implant involves different stages of healing and will require multiple visits to the dentist’s office, so it’s important to know how to care for it during the process. Here are some tips that can help.
After the implant is fixed into your jaw bone, you will experience discomfort, minor bleeding, swelling, and pain. Your dentist will prescribe painkillers for when the effects of the anesthetic wear off, so take them as instructed.
You can apply ice or cold compresses locally if you have any swelling, and you might use a sterile bandage on the area in the hours after the surgery.
While the implant spot is healing, it’s important to be gentle while brushing and flossing to avoid disturbing the healing gums. Avoid injury and excessive bleeding by not rinsing your mouth too vigorously and staying away from smoking, drinking with a straw, or other actions that create suction and pressure in the mouth.
It’s also important to be mindful about what you are consuming after getting a dental implant. It’s highly recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking after getting the implant, as they can cause excessive bleeding or even lead to infections of the gums.
Certain medications you are taking while healing can also interfere with the healing process, so let your dentist know beforehand if you are taking any medication. Aspirin, oral contraceptives, and other substances can prevent the blood from clotting, slowing down the healing.
As mentioned before, avoid cleaning your mouth too vigorously after the procedure. However, it’s very important to keep your mouth clean and to keep on brushing and flossing twice a day.
You can also use a warm saltwater solution to rinse your mouth a few times a day, to keep the area free from excess blood, bacteria, and food scraps.
If you like exercising, or if you have to do certain strenuous activities as part of your daily life, take a break after getting a dental implant. Keep your physical activities light, as intense effort can lead to excessive bleeding or disturb the healing process.
If you are interested in getting a dental implant, contact Skylyn Dental Associates in Spartanburg and book an appointment with Dr. Paul Gibas or the other dentists in his team. We have decades of experience in dentistry and have performed countless dental implant procedures. We will assess your case and create the best plan of treatment for you, explaining everything along the way. Book an appointment today!
