So you’ve chosen dental implants to replace your missing teeth. Congratulations! You will soon be enjoying a lifetime of functional, natural-looking false teeth without any of the woes or worries caused by loosening traditional dentures. Having suffered tooth loss once, you certainly won’t want to relive the experience. Fortunately, with proper aftercare, your dental implants and new teeth should last many years without issue.
Ralston Dental and Cosmetic Clinic in Leicester has carried out numerous successful dental implants treatments, which are all designed as a permanent solution to tooth loss. Both immediately after implant placement and more long-term once your teeth have been restored, the implant dentist will provide full aftercare instructions.
Immediate aftercare
Whilst the placement of dental implants is pain-free, carried out under local anaesthetic or conscious sedation, as with any surgery it is common to experience a small amount of post-operative swelling and discomfort.
This can usually be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, although if you find taking the recommended dose does not help, you should contact your dentist who may be able to prescribe short-term stronger pain relief. Swelling or bruising will subside after a couple of days, and can be helped by the use of ice packs.
As with any dental procedure, you need to avoid eating and drinking until your local anaesthetic has worn off, although you can sip water through a straw. You should also take care not to eat or drink anything excessively hot or cold for the first couple of days.
It’s tempting to probe at the implant site with your tongue, but it is strongly advised not to do this, as this can lengthen the healing period for your gums and can also result in unnecessary pain. Your dentist may have prescribed you a medicated mouthwash to use, and will also advise you on cleaning the implant site.
Long-term care
As with natural teeth, the key to keeping your implants and new teeth healthy in the long-term is good dental hygiene. You should brush your teeth as advised by your hygienist, at least twice a day, and floss regularly, too.
By regularly visiting both the dentist and hygienist, you will keep your new teeth in prime condition.