Practising proper dental implant aftercare is one way to manage the recovery process. They significantly contribute to the healing of the implant area and enhance the stability of dental implants, which helps extend their lifespan. Now let’s explore the three areas that can be a lending hand during the healing period:

Caring for Your Mouth Immediately After Dental Surgery

The dentist provides specific aftercare tips to help manage the discomfort during the initial days after surgery. It’s important to follow such care instructions to optimise healing. Generally speaking, you will need to do the following:

• Take pain medications.
  You may take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce pain and discomfort. Your dentist may also prescribe pain relief medications. Take them as instructed to help achieve successful recovery.
  
  
• Drink water.
  Water is important for keeping your mouth hydrated.
  
  
• Keep the implant site clean.
  Replace your gauze pad after thirty minutes to an hour to help control bleeding and keep the implant area clean.
  
  
• Avoid any extremely hard foods.
  Hard food can irritate and hurt the implant site, so it is recommended to avoid consuming them. Have a soft food diet, as softer foods cause less strain on your mouth.
  
  
• Take a break from eating.
  It is important to wait until the anaesthesia has worn off before you eat for safety.
  
  
• Do not smoke cigarettes or tobacco.
  These contain chemicals that can interfere with the healing of the gums, leading to delayed tooth implant recovery time.
  
  
• Refrain from using a straw when drinking.
  The air suction from the straw can put pressure on the surgical area, resulting in dislodging the blood clot.
  
  
• Avoid spitting.
  Similar to using the straw, the force of spitting can cause complications for the surgical wound.
  
  

Maintaining Oral Hygiene Routine During Dental Implant Recovery

Practising proper oral hygiene habits is another crucial factor in achieving optimal healing of dental implants. Maintaining dental hygiene practices can be quite similar to real teeth. However, you should be careful when brushing around your teeth, as your mouth can be too sensitive after implant surgery. Here are some tips:

• Mouthrinses.
  The dentist may advise the patient to avoid brushing the implant site for a couple of days. Swishing warm salt water for a few days after the dental procedure can be a good way to clean the mouth. It can help reduce bacteria in your mouth. Do oral rinses two to three times a day, and remember to let the water drip from the mouth.
  
  
• Opt for a small-headed toothbrush.
  Investing in a toothbrush with extra soft bristles can be a great way to clean your teeth and implants during healing time. This can help avoid traumatising certain sensitive areas, particularly near the implant area.

Watching Out for Potential Complications

Observing potential complications that may arise as you recover from the dental implant surgical procedure is crucial. Although uncommon, the risk of infection and implant failure is present. Be aware of the following signs of problems, and if you experience any of these or have questions, contact your dentist at Admire Dental immediately for guidance.

• Excessive bleeding.
  If there’s still oozing blood from the wounded area after three or more days, this could be a sign of a problem that the dentist should address.
  
  
• Persistent pain.
  Mild discomfort in the mouth and surrounding area is common during the first three to seven days. However, prolonged pain can be an indication of infection.
  
  
• Discharge from the surgical site.
  Pus discharge is one of the signs of infection. If you notice pus oozing from the surgical site, we highly advise contacting your dentist to check it as soon as possible.
  
  

While recovering from dental implant placement can seem overwhelming, our dental team is here to guide you through each step. We want to help you make the dental implant healing process as smooth as possible.