Getting Dental Implants? 3 Recovery Essentials
Posted on: 13 February 2019
If you have lost one or more teeth because of an injury or underlying dental condition, implants can be a great way to restore your smile. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that placing dental implants requires a surgical procedure. Your dentist will need to place the actual implant into the jaw bone, which will require anesthesia and a bit of time. Once the implant is placed, the implant must fuse into the bone over a period of time. Known as osseointegration, this fusion of the implant to the bone can take a few months. These essentials will prepare you for the recovery period, ensuring osseointegration of your implants occurs in an effective and efficient manner.
Proper Healthcare
Again, placing implants is a surgical procedure, which means anesthesia is used to numb the mouth and jaw. Anytime anesthesia is used, proper care should be taken to reduce the risk of complications after the surgery.
It is normal to experience some soreness and discomfort after the surgery. Many people will experience swelling of the gum tissue and face, bruising of the gums, and light bleeding at the incision site. These symptoms can last for a few days after the surgery. Pain medications are often prescribed to reduce your pain to help you rest after the procedure.
Apply an ice pack to your jaw and hold it in place for a few minutes. The ice will numb the pain while easing the swelling. After a few days, consider applying a heating pad to your jaw instead of the ice pack. The warmth of the heating pad will improve blood circulation, helping your gum tissue and jaws heal more efficiently.
If you continue to experience pain, swelling, and bleeding, make sure to notify your dentist. Also, if you develop a fever, visit your dentist immediately, since a fever indicates that there may be an infection.
Proper Diet
The soreness and overall discomfort you will experience in your mouth and jaw will most likely affect your appetite. You will not want to eat, but eating healthy foods is imperative if you want your jaw to heal and the implant to fuse into the bone properly.
Eating soft foods is best, especially during the first few days after your implant surgery. Scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups and stews, and even small bites of pasta are good options. Cream of wheat, oatmeal, and grits are soft foods to consider throughout your recovery period. For example, add berries or cinnamon to your oatmeal or cheese and small pieces of shredded chicken to your grits for added flavor and nutrition. Add diced tomatoes and soft pieces of bacon to your scrambled eggs, as well.
Proper Oral Hygiene
Dental implants are artificial teeth, but these artificial teeth need just as much care as your existing natural teeth and your underlying gum tissue. Even after your implant surgery, you will need to practice good oral hygiene to protect your teeth, gums, mouth, and implants from food residue, bacteria, decay, and gum disease.
Because you may experience some discomfort right after your surgery, brushing and flossing may not be a priority. However, you should still attempt to gently bush your teeth and gums, being extra careful when working around your new implant. Be sure to rinse your mouth out with antibacterial mouthwash as well, which will rinse away any leftover food particles while killing bacteria that may be inside the mouth.
If you will be receiving dental implants to restore your smile, proper understanding of the recovery process is smart. Contact your dentist to learn more about healing with ease from dental implant surgery.
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