7 Things You Need to Know about Dental Implant Aftercare
Unfortunately, most individuals don’t get to keep all their natural teeth for a lifetime. In fact, most average Americans end up losing up to 12 teeth by the time they hit 50 years. Luckily, there exist treatments that can help you maintain your natural smile, even after losing some teeth. One of the most popular is dental implants.
In this blog, we will talk all about this procedure, more especially about its aftercare. We hope this information will help you take better care of yours and accelerate the recovery process.
What You Should Expect after the Treatment
After placement, most patients experience a little discomfort, and it should be gone within a few days. Knowing how to handle these discomforts can make your work much easier.
Can You Drive Home?
This question is perhaps one of the most common when it comes to what to do after dental implant treatment. Well, if you were sedated during the surgery (which is usually the case), we don’t recommend driving home. The sedation will probably interfere with your alertness, leading to blurred visions that can lead to accidents. Ideally, take at least 36 hours before you can start driving again.
Cleaning Your Mouth and Implant
After the placement, there is usually some bleeding. The dentist deals with it, and in most cases, by the time you get home, there will be no bleeding. However, that’s not always the case. If you notice some bleeding after leaving the dental clinic, don’t panic. If the implant is on the upper jaw, try to avoid blowing your nose.
As for cleaning your mouth, try to avoid cleaning the implantation site for the first few days. Disturbing the site can accelerate bleeding, and you don’t need that. Brush your teeth and floss them normally, but just be careful while cleaning near the implant. You can alternatively use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth for the first 24-48 hours. After a week or two, you should be able to clean your teeth ordinarily.
What to Eat and Drink
Having an implant does not mean you should stop eating or change your diet. You can remove the piece of gauze after two hours and get something to eat. However, for the first 24 to 48 hours, be sure to stick with the following foods:
- Dairy foods, including milkshakes, eggs, and yogurt.
- Soft fruits such as bananas and mangoes
- Some vegetables, for example, cauliflower
We usually recommend serving the vegetables at a lukewarm temperature.
What to Avoid After Treatment
To accelerate your recovery, make sure you avoid the following:
- Sipping through a straw for the first few days.
- Eating hard foods
- Disturbing the implantation site
- Driving during the first two days
- Making crucial decisions just after the placement
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
Can I wear Dentures after Implant Treatment?
Wearing dentures after implant treatment may not be the best thing to do. The action slightly aggravates the implantation site, which slows the healing process. It can also encourage bleeding. That said, you should only wear dentures when it is necessary. If possible, avoid wearing them during the first few days.
How is the Pain after Procedure?
The amount of pain (discomfort) usually varies from one patient to another. The extent of the surgery also dictates the amount of discomfort. Your dentist will most probably prescribe some pain medications if he expects the level of pain to require some attention.
The effects of sedation will wear off in about two hours, and you can take Tylenol if the pain is unbearable. In most cases, the painkiller should alleviate the pain. Please only take the medications after you’ve eaten something.
However, if it does not work for you, call your dentist for advice. After a few weeks, you will be back to normal. Don’t worry about the stitches, as the dentists use ones that don’t require you to visit the dentist for removal. You can always talk to us if you require a Phoenix dentist.
ESP Dental
If you require dental implant services in Phoenix, you are in the right place. We will provide you with quality services, and we assure desirable results. Book an appointment today.