Dental Implant Maintenance and Aftercare

Taking care of dental implants after surgery will involve regular oral hygiene routines and some procedure-specific precautions. Below we will review how to maintain dental implants so that they are sure to last and how to care for your new implants after surgery.

Dental implant aftercare

One to two days after treatment

In the first day after treatment, it is normal for patients to experience swelling, bleeding, oozing, and pain. Bleeding can be controlled by biting on a gauze pack placed on the wound. In the case of excessive bleeding, change the gauze pad after half an hour, otherwise, keep the pad in the mouth for up to an hour.

Swelling is also common after the surgery. Swelling can be reduced by applying ice on the cheeks as often as possible during the day after the treatment. After the anesthetic wears off, patients may feel some pain; take an over-the-counter pain medication (Tylenol, Advil, or Mortin).

Rinsing

On the night following the surgery, rinse the mouth with the prescribed rinse before going to bed. The next day, use the rinse in the morning, after breakfast, and at night, before bed. The rinsing should be done for 30 seconds or more. Besides using the prescribed rinse, rinse with salt water four to five times a day at the minimum. To prepare the solution, take a cup of warm water and dissolve a teaspoon of salt in it. This will cleanse the entire mouth without using the strong chemicals in the prescribed rinses. 

Physical activity and diet after surgery

Patients can drive home themselves after the dental implant procedure and may even go to work the next day as well. However, it is a good idea to keep activities such as exercise to a minimum as it may cause bleeding from the entire body straining. There may be some dietary changes as well. Dentists recommended a diet that contains soft foods only to ensure proper recovery from the surgery.

Dental implant maintenance

Oral hygiene aides

Cleaning the implants is similar to cleaning regular teeth. The aids for maintaining the teeth may include a soft, small brush (manual or electric), an antimicrobial rinse, and an inter-dental toothbrush for reaching the in-between areas. These aids need to be used with gentle care in order to cleanse the teeth, but not cause discomfort. 

Brushing and flossing

There is no problem with brushing the teeth normally. For the surgical areas, initially, gentle brushing will keep the area clean without affecting it. Any type of soft-bristled toothbrush can be used. Dentists usually recommended special types of floss or unwaxed tape. Ask the dentist for the more recommendations on brushing on flossing. 

Professional implant cleaning and examination

Besides properly maintaining the teeth at home, it is important to have a professional examine them and clean them periodically. The implant, surrounding gums, and bone can undergo changes: a gap may develop between the gum and teeth, there may be a loss of bone, etc. A thorough examination will help the dentist identify these issues. They will also give the teeth a thorough cleaning while also removing any plaque that is hard to remove with normal aides.

Why does this matter?

If not maintained properly, dental implants can develop problems. Bleeding is one of the problems that may occur. Fortunately, there is a possibility to reverse this problem if it is caught early. If it is left untreated and results in bone loss, then the process cannot be reversed. In cases of advanced bone loss, there may be a need to remove the implant.

Questions?

If you still have questions about maintaining proper care after dental implant surgery then give us a call today. We're happy to guide you through post-surgery care. 

Are you considering dental implants in the Bakersfield area? Get more information at https://brimhalldentalgroup.com.