When you have had oral implants fitted, the next few weeks post-surgery will be crucial. Not only to ensure that you remain in good health for fusing to occur but also relating to the implants themselves having a long-life span.
The aftercare for oral implants is not too complicated, but if you were coming round from sedation when it was explained to you, you could be forgiven for forgetting it. So, in this article, some of the basic aftercare tips for oral implants are explored.
Take pain relief
This is not to say you will be in agonising discomfort following the fitting of your dental implants Melbourne, but it is likely that there will be some soreness. And the best way to pre-empt this is with pain relief.
Make sure that the over-the-counter medication that you take does not interact with the thickness of your blood, as this can worsen the inevitable bruising that will occur post-fitting. So, be sure to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen and stick to paracetamol.
Be sure to keep track of your discomfort too. It should minimise in the days following the fitting and, if it gets worse, book an appointment with your dentist as you may have an infection.
No brushing
It may seem counterintuitive to state that you shouldn’t brush your teeth, but when you have had an oral implant fitted, you should not brush the area for at least 2 weeks. Take care when brushing your other natural teeth though- they will still need brushing!
To keep the area clean, rinse it gently twice a day (or as often as required) with saltwater. This will remove any food debris and will also reduce inflammation.
No hard foods
When you have an oral implant fitted, it needs to fuse at the angle it was placed into your jaw. So, to ensure that it does not move, you will need to avoid biting into hard foods with it. Too much pressure on your implant can cause it to move, twist or even fall out! So, until your dentist gives you the green light, stick to softer foods, like boiled vegetables.
Check-ups are a must!
Following the fitting of an oral implant, you will need to see your dentist every few weeks at first, and then about once a month until the implant has fully fused (around 3-9 months, depending on your age and general health). Please keep these appointments! While it may seem irritating to need to see your dentist so regularly, these appointments help them to assess whether or not there is an issue with your oral implant and allows them to respond accordingly.
No smoking or drinking
Smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are not good for you anyway, but when you have had an oral implant fitted, you will need to cut back on these habits or quit them altogether. This is because both smoking and drinking to excess have been linked to gum disease which can cause even a newly fitted implant to fall out. So, be sure to talk to your dental team about smoking cessation if you want to quit the habit.
DISCLAIMER OFFSITE
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.