Many experts consider dental implants the gold standard of replacement teeth because of their many unique advantages. They’re the only restorations that are inserted into your jawbone for added strength and stability. However, for them to be successful, you must have sufficient jawbone density to support them.
Many people don’t realize that after adult teeth go missing, the jaw begins to thin without a root to stimulate new bone growth when you bite down. If you’ve waited a while to refurbish your grin, you might require an additional bone graft procedure to bulk it up before you can move forward. Then, caring for yourself post-op is essential to recover as quickly as possible and without complications. Continue reading for three tips that can help you heal after your surgery!
Tip #1: Manage Discomfort
It’s normal to experience some tenderness after your appointment as the medications wear off. This typically subsides after a few days, but that doesn’t mean you have to simply suffer in the meantime. If your provider prescribes pain medications, you should take them as ordered to avoid potential negative side effects. Otherwise, taking over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen is usually safe to alleviate aches and inflammation. You can also apply an ice pack or cold compress to the impacted side of your face for some temporary relief.
Tip #2: Eat Soft Foods
Several sutures will be placed, and you don’t want to do or eat anything that might injure them. While some patients heal within a matter of weeks, others take months to recover fully. During that time, your dentist will likely ask that you stick to a diet of soft foods for several days to weeks to avoid irritating your already tender tissues. Popular menu items include applesauce, broths, blended smoothies, yogurt, soft pasta, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes.
It’s also a good idea to avoid hot, spicy, or overly hard or sticky foods, which can result in additional throbbing, injuries, or swelling.
Tip #3: Keep Your Mouth Clean
Your mouth is full of germs that can infect the surgical site if you don’t take the proper precautions to prevent it. Unfortunately, aggressive brushing and flossing can damage or dislodge the blood clot that must form over the wound for it to heal effectively. It’s usually best to rinse with warm salt water the day after your surgery to naturally disinfect bacteria and rinse away unwanted food particles or debris.
After about 48 hours, it may be safe to resume brushing, but please remember to be very careful. To be as gentle as possible, you might switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush or an irrigating syringe. If you were prescribed an antibiotic rinse, you should also use that exactly as instructed.
Your oral surgeon will provide detailed post-op directions that you should follow as closely as possible to recovery swiftly and successfully!
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Lee has 20+ years of experience helping restore patients’ quality of life by providing top-quality oral surgical procedures to enhance their dental health. He earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Then, he completed a four-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Since then, he has received numerous awards for his professional excellence, so you know your smile is in good hands. If you’re interested in dental implants, you can request a consultation on the website or call (740) 236-9392.