A Comprehensive Guide on After Implantation Care
The dental implant is considered to last for a lifetime. Undergoing the process, one expects it to remain forever just like a newly built relationship. Well! Yes! Dental implantation is your lifetime lasting new relationship with your new tooth and the correlated smile, you should always own. However, like the other relationships, it is very important to take the utmost care and share your concern with this new in-built into your body.
Right from the regular routine care to what kind of food to include and avoid, there is a lot to consider after the process. So, let’s take a tour of some of the most suggested and beneficial things to consider during the care process.
Guide to Taking Care Post-Dental Implantation
The following days post-surgery are very critical as concerned to the right care of the new tooth implant. Failing which, there are chances of getting hurt or even getting unwanted troubles around. So, it’s always good to be careful in the process and use simple care tips and tricks.
Always remember that soon after your dental implantation, your body is still repairing the gum and the bone tissues. Time is needed for the right on-site infusions, so better be patient and careful. Generally, the recovery time corresponds to around 3-5 days, after which you get back to normal. But, before that, be careful.
Care and Cleaning During Healing
Everything heals with time and so will your stitches. Let them dissolve and fall out, on their own. This will happen within 7-10 days of the surgery. Don’t try to externally remove these stitches.
Using ice if the swelling remains for 20 minutes in an on and off mode is suggested. This can be done during the first 2 days, from 3rd day, alternate usage of ice and heat will help relieve muscle stiffness. Avoid chewing ice. Restrict it to apply on the face.
Doing over or unwanted things is never good. Similar is the case with care. Over-inspection and over-care can disrupt the natural healing process, making you face the pain and inability to naturally stretch or open your mouth. So better, avoid.
- Warm salt-water rinses will keep you good
Post passage of 24 hours, you can start salt water rinses. It will help in cleaning and healing as well.
- Stick to gentle cleaning only, no overcleaning
Gentle brushing on the procedure day is allowed. However, only choose to brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush as this area is still under healing and would require time for it. Avoid brushing around the surgical area. Don’t try swishing or spitting. Let the water gently flow to rinse after brushing.
- Use a syringe for gap-cleaning, if suggested, after healing
Only if suggested, use a syringe for cleaning that too strictly after your gums have healed for cleaning the gap formed between implant bridges and the gums. Post 5-6 weeks, after full recovery of your gums, you can switch to a water flosser in place of the syringe, for thorough cleaning.
Make sure to change your gauze at periodic intervals as directed by your dentist.
- No oral exercises for the initial 24 hours
All kinds of oral activities like sucking, spitting, and even swishing aren’t suggested until your surgery area is healed, especially for the first 24 hours. If one fails to follow these tips, chances of Dry socket conditions forming blood clots and bacteria development may occur. In such a case, consult dental implants near me as soon as possible.
- Avoid very hot, very cold, drinks and beverages
Hot, very cold, or harsh acidic beverages should be avoided as they may lead to unnecessary irritation or chances of developing dry sockets during the healing process.
Eating only soft diet food is recommended until the healing is attained. Also, one should take caution when food and beverage consumption as you might not be able to sense the feeling rightly due to numbness for the first 24 hours.
- Smoking is injurious, even here
Smoking is never a recommended act and to add on it’s considered terrible after a tooth implant. It may increase infection risks and restricts the required blood flow, slowing the healing process. It’s better to quit.
Post-Healing Care
Once the healing is done, you may need to inculcate a few regular cleaning habits for long-term care.
- Buy a suitable water flosser
This simple device will turn out to be miraculous. With this, you can avoid the floss formation around difficult nooks and the crevices proximate to the tooth implant performed.
It’s time, you should quit smoking as it’s pretty injurious to your oral health, too. To avoid chances of infections, implant failure, and improper blood flow and improve dental health and implant longevity, this is the best thing to do.
- Never skip periodic cleaning
Follow your regular and routine cleaning practice to upkeep your oral hygiene.
- Wearing the directed mouthguard is a must
If you’ve been advised to wear a mouthguard at night to address wear and tear from excessive teeth grinding and clenching, please do so.
- Don’t try ice-chewing, chewing gum chewing is better
Don’t ever try chewing ice to subside the stiffness or pain even if you have a zirconia tooth. However, chewing gum exercises can be started after a few days, post healing.
- Visit your dentist in case of any post-surgery problems
In case, you have any issues or dental troubles, make sure to visit the doctor, without any delays.
These are the tips to follow post your tooth implant. You can choose to compare dental implantation costs in India and pick the right one for you but, take very good care of your dental health, post-surgery. Check out Smilessence for more about dental implants in India.
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