The process of recovering from getting dental implants is equally as important as the procedure itself. Your home care plays a vital role in how the surgical site heals and if the implant will integrate successfully with your jawbone. Here are a few things to know about what happens after the surgery.
What Happens With The Sutures
It's important to know what kind of sutures are used in your gums for the dental implant procedure. If you have dissolvable sutures, they will typically go away on their own after 2-3 weeks. If you do not have dissolvable sutures, you'll need to return to the dentist to have them removed around that same 2-3 week time frame. Your dentist will advise you on when to make this appointment so that you can have the sutures properly removed.
What Happens With Putting Pressure On The Surgical Site
You need to be aware of the pressure that you are putting on the surgical site, since it can cause unforeseen complications. If you used a water pick prior to your dental implant surgery, know that you are going to have to avoid using it for several months after the surgery is completed. That force from the water can cause the surgical site to become disrupted and lead to complications.
You should also avoid touching the surgical site, such as massaging the area with your fingers to feel how it is healing. This is especially true if you had a bone graft in order to get dental implants, since they heal best when left alone without added pressure put on them.
What Happens When Brushing The Surgical Site
Your dentist will likely advise you to not brush the surgical site for a couple of weeks after the procedure. Once that time period has passed, you'll need to be extra careful with how you brush it. Be very careful when brushing so that you are not too aggressive, and make sure to keep the teeth around the surgical site clean.
What Happens With Eating
You also need to take caution when eating. Avoid eating with the part of your mouth with the dental implant for a few weeks after the procedure, and then you will eventually be able to use the implant to eat softer food. Your dentist will provide you with a list of recommended soft foods that are safe to eat while the implant is healing. It's also best to take small bites when eating to prevent your mouth from being filled with food and getting to the part of your mouth where the dental implant is located.
Share18 April 2022
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
