One of the reasons that dental implants in Murphy are such a popular tooth replacement option is that once they’re placed, they’re extremely easy to take care of. These durable, lifelike restorations simply need to be regularly brushed and flossed like the rest of your teeth to keep them strong and healthy for decades to come. However, you can’t just pop in a dental implant and start using it like you can with a set of dentures. Until it’s fully healed after being placed, you need to take care of it to ensure its success. Here’s what you can expect after your dental implant surgery and what you can do to help the recovery process go as smoothly as possible.
What to Expect After Dental Implant Surgery
Just like how every smile is different, the placement of a dental implant is a unique process for everyone. However, some things you can generally expect right after your dental implant surgery are:
- Some swelling in your gums and face. This natural response to surgery may not be fully apparent until 24 hours after the procedure. Although it will naturally ease over several days, you can also reduce it by applying ice packs to the outside of your mouth for 20 minutes at a time.
- Occasional bleeding or blood-tinged saliva. Some bleeding is to be expected as your gums heal. Like the swelling, it too will naturally stop on its own. To help stop any bleeding, gently bite down on a piece of damp gauze to apply slight pressure to the implant site.
- Taking medication. To minimize discomfort after the surgery, you can take an anti-inflammatory painkiller like Ibuprofen before the local anesthetic wears off. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics or an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep the implant site clean and healthy.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery After Dental Implant Surgery
Like most surgeries, you should take some time to rest after your new tooth is implanted. Here’s how to care for your new tooth right after the procedure:
- Watch what you eat. While your mouth is numb, it’s important to avoid foods or drinks that are hot, crunchy, or require a lot of chewing. When feeling is restored, you can eat foods that are soft enough to cut with the side of a fork, as long as you avoid using your new tooth.
- Reduce your activity. For the first several days after the surgery, you should limit your physical activity as much as possible. Being active raises your blood pressure, which can cause more bleeding and prolong your recovery period.
- Keep your mouth clean. Good oral hygiene will protect against infection as the implant site heals. You can gently rinse your mouth with a warm glass of saltwater or carefully brush around your new tooth to keep away harmful bacteria.
The good news is that once your mouth has healed, your dental implants will require far less maintenance. You can continue to keep your implant and the rest of your natural teeth healthy with regular brushing and flossing, and you’ll have a beautiful, functional smile that will last for decades to come.
About the Author
At other dental offices, you might need to see a specialist who isn’t your dentist to have a dental implant placed. However, at Murphy Dental Home, we strive to meet all your dental care needs under one roof. Dr. Khushboo Gandhi’s extensive experience and training allows her to perform every step of your dental implant procedure personally. If you’d like to know more about what to expect from dental implant process, feel free to contact her at her website or at (972) 532-6506.