Your Guide to Post-Operative Dental Implant Care
After receiving your dental implants, it’s imperative to practice good oral hygiene habits and avoid certain activities to ensure your new beautiful teeth stay healthy for years to come.
Essential Dental Implant Care
The first 48 hours after dental implant surgery are the most crucial in a successful recovery. That’s why it’s important to learn the proper way to clean, maintain, and care for your new tooth restoration. To make it easier, Dr. Conness has put together a patient-friendly guide to help you navigate through proper post-operative dental implant care.
Cleaning Your Dental Implants
When beginning your at-home care, cleaning is one of the fundamental steps in ensuring healthy, long-lasting dental implants. This is especially important in the days immediately following surgery.
Because your implants are prosthetic teeth, there’s a few key points to keep in mind:
- Food particles and bacteria can get stuck between your teeth and around the implant. This can lead to plaque build-up, eventually leading to infection without treatment.
- Use floss, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and gum stimulators to encourage healthy gum tissue and keep your new teeth as germ-free as possible.
- Visit Dr. Conness and his dedicated dental hygienists for regular check-ups and professional cleanings at least twice a year.
Maintaining Your Dental Implants
Caring for and maintaining your dental implants during the first 48 hours after surgery is pivotal to a favorable recovery. Symptoms are more pronounced, and you’re likely to feel minimal pain or discomfort during this time.
To assist in a smooth recovery and avoid any complications, make sure to follow these tips:
- Don’t touch or irritate the surgical areas
- Brush your teeth the night following your surgery with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 2-3 times per day
- Take it easy and avoid any physical activities
- Apply ice to reduce any swelling, if needed
Dr. Conness advises patients to continue caring for your mouth after the second and third days following the procedure. If you’re experiencing dry lips, sore throat, or stiff jaw muscles, there’s no need to worry. These are completely normal symptoms of using gauze immediately after implant placement surgery.
Two Weeks After Implant Surgery
Even if the surgical site is healed, it’s important to continue following the appropriate dental implant care guidelines (which our team will discuss with you in detail) — specifically, practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular check-ups with Dr. Conness. It’s also beneficial to change your diet by incorporating less acidic foods, softer foods, and nutrient-rich beverages.
One step that can’t be emphasized enough is that it’s crucial to schedule post-operative appointments with our office. It’s essential to the health of your dental implant, and it allows Dr. Conness to clean and inspect your teeth to ensure everything is recovering as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime. However, the dental crown may only last up to 15 years with proper care. This includes brushing and flossing at least twice each day along with rinsing between meals. It’s also essential to schedule biannual appointments at our Ottawa office for routine cleanings and exams. This will keep both your restoration and oral health in good condition.
How do I care for my dental implants?
To keep your restoration in good condition, it’s crucial to follow all of Dr. Conness’s post-operative instructions. This includes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, non-abrasive toothpaste, and nylon-coated floss to clean your teeth and prevent scratching your implant.
What can I eat after implant surgery?
Following an implant procedure, it’s important to avoid foods that may irritate or damage the surgical site. This includes foods that are spicy, crunchy, chewy, or hard. You can resume your normal diet after about one week, but before then you should stick to foods that are soft or liquid-based. This includes:
- Juices and smoothies
- Yogurt and pudding
- Mashed potatoes
- Blended soups and broth
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
How long is the healing process after dental implant surgery?
Most patients will fully recover from their dental implant procedures after about four to six months. This time frame can vary based on several factors, such as their preoperative level of oral health and their postoperative oral hygiene habits. Additionally, most patients can return to their regular habits and diets after about one week. Dr. Conness will provide you with a treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
Is pain around the surgical site normal?
It’s normal to experience mild pain around the surgical site after the numbness from the anesthetic subsides, typically after a few hours. You can manage this pain using cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications.
However, if the pain doesn’t fade after one week, it may be a sign of a complication. Schedule an appointment at our Ottawa office immediately by calling us at (815) 324-2550. Dr. Conness will assess your situation and relieve you of any painful symptoms.
Can I go to work the day after receiving a dental implant?
While every patient is different, most can return to work the day after their dental implant procedure. Some patients, however, may require a day or two to recover, depending on factors such as their overall level of oral health or any sedation methods they may have had administered.
For patients who work physically demanding jobs, it’s best to take a few days off to recover after the procedure. If your job involves little to no physical activity, you should be fine to return to work the next day.
Get Started Today
If you’re ready to transform your smile, fill out our convenient contact form or give us a call at (815) 324-2250 to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Conness. We’ll be more than happy to help you through the process and answer any additional questions you may have.