Dr. Ben Kacos, a Shreveport dentist, shares below the best tips and the recommended diet and aftercare when you’ve had dental implants.
What to Expect After Dental Implants
- After surgery, avoid disturbing or touching the affected area.
- Make sure you take the pain medication prescribed even if you do not feel any pain yet. It is recommended that you take the pain medication at least two hours after the surgery when you arrive home and as prescribed afterward.
- There will be swelling in the affected area after the procedure. You can minimize the swelling by applying a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel applied to the face adjacent to the surgical area. However, make sure you apply the cold or ice bag only for 20 minutes and remove it after 20 minutes every few hours or so during the first 12-24 hours after the surgery. After a day, it is best to switch to applying a moist heating pad to the area until the swelling goes down.
Care After Dental Implants
- After the surgery, your saliva may be tinged with blood for up to 48 hours. This is normal and you can rinse the blood from your mouth by gargling with warm salt water. If you notice heavy bleeding a few hours after surgery, cover the surgical area with a gauze pad and bite down firmly for 30-60 minutes. If the bleeding still doesn’t stop, call your dentist.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every two to three hours once you get home. Continue this for several days but reduce the frequency to three to four times a day for the next two weeks. This will help clean and heal the surgical area.
- Drink plenty of water but avoid using a straw. Do not drink carbonated and hot beverages and artificial fruit juices as well.
- If you smoke, avoid this habit for at least two to three days after surgery since this will delay healing.
Diet after Dental Implants
- You have to avoid vigorous chewing after the surgery as well. As such, you can’t eat chips, crackers, and sandwiches after the procedure. You will need to go on a soft diet temporarily. Smoothies, yogurts, low-fat Jell-O or puddings, and cold soups are the recommended foods. It is best to opt for natural fruit smoothies or shakes so that you can still get the important nutrients needed that will help speed up the healing process.
- You can brush your teeth a few hours after the surgery or before you sleep. However, do not touch the operated area. Make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and to avoid vigorous rinsing and spitting since they may elicit bleeding.
- Avoid pulling your lip to look at the surgical site. Do not touch the area with your tongue, finger, and other objects, too. You may accidentally loosen the stitches and open the incision which can compromise and delay the healing of the implant.
- Limit your physical activity following surgery. You should be able to resume light activity in a day or two.
It is important that you follow these aftercare tips after getting a dental implant since they will help in your recovery. In addition, they will ensure the proper position, functionality, and longevity of the implant.
Contact our office today if you are in need of dental implants.