So you’ve made the smart decision to replace your damaged or missing tooth with a dental implant, but now you’re wondering how to go about dental implant aftercare. After getting a dental implant surgically installed it’s extremely important for you to take proper care of it. Dental implants require a clean environment to heal properly and most of the success of the implant ultimately depends on you. The following list includes a few tips on how to properly care for your new dental implant:
- Do Not Bother- Directly after getting your dental implants you should avoid bothering the affected area as much as possible. Agitating your dental implant can slow down the healing process and could potentially leading to additional problems.
- Ice Affected Area- Don’t worry if a part of your face swells over the first few days, it’s perfectly normal. To reduce the swelling you can apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area. Apply the ice pack as frequently as possible the first 24 hours with 20 minutes breaks in between icing.
- Consume carefully- Avoid swishing liquids around your mouth for the first week after your procedure. When it comes to eating, make sure that you start off with softer foods, such as soups, for the first 2 weeks. When you do eat try avoiding the dental implant as much as possible. Also, do not drink anything hot immediately after the procedure.
- Keep it Clean- In order for your dental implants to heal properly you need to keep the affected area as clean as possible. It’s recommended to rinse with a salt water solution at least 4-5 times a day. Don’t forget to brush your teeth as normal with a soft bristle toothbrush and to brush carefully around the dental implant.
- Exercise- Refrain from any physical activity for the first week after your implant surgery since activity can cause unnecessary bleeding. If any of your daily routines do cause bleeding reduce your level of activity.
Once your dental implant has fully healed you must care for it just as you would your natural teeth by flossing and brushing regularly. Your dental implant will eventually act and feel just like a natural tooth would, and with proper care your implant could last a lifetime.
For questions regarding dental implants, contact Advanced Dental Group in West Palm Beach, FL at (561) 220-4808 or visit our website www.advanceddentalgrp.com for more information.
