After Dental Implants

It can be very stressful, tiring, and painful after your dental implants. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind for home aftercare. Following and taking an extra aftercare routine will ensure a successful healing and recovery process without infections.

The first rule is never to disturb the wound. Although it may be more complicated than it sounds, you must not disturb the wound by any means. Avoiding touching the open wound with your tongue or spitting. There may be a metal abutment that protrudes through the gum tissue, so it is essential not to get it irritated until it completely heals.

• There will be some bleeding and redness in the saliva, and this is normal. Any excessive bleeding can be controlled by biting into a gauze pad until the bleeding stops. If you feel that the bleeding can not be stopped, please contact your dentist immediately for further instructions.
• There will be a good amount of swelling, and usually, it is proportional. There will be swelling around the mouth, cheeks, jaws, and eyes. These symptoms are not uncommon. It will last around 24 to 72 hours. You are recommended to use a cool ice pack to reduce the swelling. For the first 24 hours of swelling, you can apply icepacks to the outside of the swollen area to decrease the pain and swelling. Though after 24 hours, an ice pack will no longer have any other beneficial effect.
• Keep in mind that after the implant, a strict diet is needed to aid along the healing process. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Please avoid eating hot food or beverages for the time being since your mouth is still numbed. You are recommended to eat soft food or room temperature food. You can return to your regular diet as soon as your implant is healed. Avoid raw milk product and spicy food in the meantime.
• For immediate pain, you should take pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic wears off. For moderate pain, it is suggested to take ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil). Do not operate any heavy machinery and get as much rest as possible. If you feel that your wound is not healing correctly, let your dentist know to prescribe you antibiotics to help prevent infection. Always follow the instructions for antibiotics.

Lastly, good oral hygiene is needed and is the key essential for successful healing. Be gentle and brush your teeth and healing abutments.