After Dental Implant Surgery – Care Instructions
Proper care is essential in the days after surgery. Immediately after your surgery, there are some simple dos and don’ts for your implants to heal properly:
Don’t:
- Smoke or use straws for the first 48 hours after surgery.
- Reach for hard, crunchy foods.
- Eat very hot foods initially.
- Reach for any hard foods that could get trapped near the implant, like popcorn or seeds.
- Drink alcoholic beverages that may irritate the implant.
- Sleep on your side.
- Brush the implant area.
- Engage in intense physical activity.
Do:
- Keep the surgical issue clean with antiseptic mouthwash if instructed.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water 2-3 times a day.
- Ice the area for the first 24 hours.
- Bite on a gauze pad for 20 or 30 minutes to help with minor bleeding.
- Take prescribed pain medication and anti-inflammatories to mitigate pain.
- Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, or ice cream.
What To Expect: Implant Care After Surgery
Over several months, the metal post that holds your implant in place will undergo osseointegration. This is the process during which your jawbone joins with your implant, allowing it to fully integrate with your mouth. Unless you need a second surgery to place your abutment, this isn’t something you need to be concerned with – it’s just helpful to know that your implant will be solidly attached.
Once approved by your dentist, you can gently brush to clean near the implants and surrounding gums. Avoid brushing too harshly and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. For single implants, be sure to floss daily to support the health of your surrounding teeth and help prevent gum disease. You can even consider getting a water flosser to really up your dental hygiene!
Compared to traditional dentures, dental implants don’t require as much upkeep from your dental hygienist, but maintenance and care at home is still vital.
Preventing Implant Failure and Complications
It’s natural to worry about implant failure, but remember that with proper maintenance, your implants will be completely fine.
Here are some concerns you may want to watch for with dental implants:
- Infection, injury, or damage near the implant
- Nerve damage
- Implant failure
Implant failure is a common concern but an uncommon occurrence. If you’re experiencing regular pain or gum recession around your implant, your implant feels loose, or you’re unable to chew comfortably, those can all be signs of implant failure. Smoking, grinding your teeth, and underlying medical conditions can lead to implant failure. However, if you take careful care of your overall oral health, it’s very likely your implants will be successful.
Implant Care Long Term – Make Your Implants Last!
With proper at-home care and regular dental checkups, dental implants can last a lifetime. If you’re looking for competent oral surgeons in the Los Angeles area, check out Wilshire Oral Surgery. Our dental team can give additional care tips to help reduce pain and swelling during the healing process. When you work with a strong surgical team and maintain proper care and maintenance, it’s possible to keep your implants healthy and make them last a lifetime.
Reach out to Wilshire for Dental Implant Surgery here