Dental implant surgery, like any other surgical procedure, requires proper aftercare to boost faster wound healing and prevent infections. The dental implant procedure recovery time varies from individual to individual. After your implant surgery, there are a number of things you should do to reduce the recovery time and will be typically communicated to you by your dentist. Below are some important tips and guidelines that highlight the aftercare that is recommended after an implant surgery.
Cleaning Dental Implants at HomeClean your implants the same way you clean your natural teeth. Brush, use non-alcoholic mouthwash and floss your teeth on a daily basis. Keep in mind that bacteria and food particles can easily get stuck in the spaces around the implant leading to build-up of infection-causing plaque. The following dental cleaning instruments help cleaning your implants at home easy and manageable:
Dentists recommend using unwaxed floss or tape for implants since they ensure the surrounding tissue remains protected. With prostheses, however, a floss threader might be used. Check with your dentist about what floss to use before buying.
When buying a toothbrush for your implants, consider how easy the brush is to use and how it feels on your implants. It needs to be soft-bristled to avoid too much friction against the dental implant.
The best kind are the rubber-tipped stimulators as they are gentle on the gums. Stimulators encourage regeneration of healthy gum tissue which is vital in maintaining a dental implant.
Also called oral irrigators, water flossers help with reducing inflammation and plaque. A water flosser with a nonmetallic tip is the best kind to use. You can supplement with non-alcoholic antimicrobial rinse as desired for the best possible results.
Professional Dental Implant CleaningIn addition to cleaning your dental implant at home, you should them professionally cleaned periodically. Professional cleaning involves thoroughly cleaning the implant thread, surrounding tissue your natural teeth and this helps keep infection-causing bacteria away. Scaling method of cleaning may be used. This method involves cleaning below the gumline to remove any buildup of plaque.
Dental Implant Care 48 Hours Post-PlacementThe first 48 hours after the dental implant surgery are very crucial since most symptoms are pronounced during this period. First hour post-surgery, put gentle pressure on the gauze packs with your teeth. Do not the change the gauze until after the first hour then switch out to a new gauze every 30 to 45 minutes after that.
Common symptoms seen on the first day include:
After the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth with salt water 2-3 times a day and rest well to promote faster healing.
Dental Implant Care for the First WeekContinue the care using the dental cleaning instruments mentioned above and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups. You might be required to alter your diet by consuming less acidic foods and softer foods that are rich in nutrients. Visit your dentist at least once every six months for check-ups and cleaning.
Before going for your implant procedure, make sure you have all of the essential supplies needed for proper aftercare. Consult with your dentist on which tools you need to avoid causing further damage to the surgical site.
