Caring for Your Dental Implants in the Days and Weeks Following Your Procedure

When seeking dental implants in the Ontario, California, area, you can reach out to Dr. Mukesh Patel and the skilled team at Ontario Dental Center. When it comes to teeth replacement, there are many options you could consider, but no option provides a strong foundation combined with a natural look, feel, and function like a dental implant. Dental implants offered by Dr. Patel have been transforming patients’ lives for the better, and patients consistently walk away confident and thrilled with their new and improved replacement teeth. When you elect for a dental implant, it will require a surgical procedure, so knowing how to care for your dental implants in the days and weeks following the procedure is essential.

Your Dental Implant Surgery

Before your procedure begins, Dr. Patel will provide you with some simple, easy-to-follow post-operative care instructions. With these instructions, you will know what you need on hand for the short-term and long-term care of your newly placed implants. If there are any dietary instructions that you need to follow following your procedure, you will be informed of this as well. You have decided to receive the gold standard of tooth replacement options with your dental implants, so you will want to take the necessary precautions to prevent complications following your procedure. You can accomplish this by practicing some of the following tips.

The Day of Your Surgery

The type of anesthesia you provide for your procedure may depend on your situation. Some forms of anesthesia will require a ride arranged for you to get back home afterward, so make sure to discuss this aspect of your procedure with your dentist before the day of your surgery so that you can have proper arrangements made.

After your procedure, you will have gauze placed over the surgical site(s), which will need to remain in place for at least an hour. You will want to hold the gauze in place with a firm but gentle pressure. You can replace the original gauze with new, clean gauze if bleeding is still occurring. You will want to exchange old gauze with new gauze at 30 to 45-minute intervals for about the first 24 hours.

Day One Signs of Healing

You can expect certain symptoms during your first day of healing. All these are normal, but if you have any questions, make sure to reach out to Dr. Patel so that any concerns or questions you may have can be addressed. Typical first-day signs of healing include:

• Swelling along the jawline
• Discomfort at the site of surgical incisions
• Tight or stiff jaw muscles
• Bleeding at the incision site (This should be minor and small amounts)
• Dry lips and/or throat

The First 24 Hours

Following some easy-to-follow tips and any instructions given to you by your dentist will go a long way in making sure there are no complications with your dental implant surgery. Here are some common steps you can follow during the 24 hours immediately following your procedure which many dentists will recommend. As always, make sure and check with Dr. Patel for specific instructions.

• Rest is essential, so ensure you take it easy during the first 24 hours following your procedure.
• Avoid touching or disturbing the surgical site(s).
• To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack outside your face near the surgical site at 20-minute intervals on and off.
• Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, but avoid the surgical site.
• Take any recommended pain medications as needed.
• Continue taking any previous medications Dr. Patel has approved to keep taking them during recovery.
• When drinking, ensure the drink is non-acidic (probably best to stick to cool water), and do not use a straw as the pressure could disturb blood clots.
• Don’t consume alcohol.
• Don’t use tobacco products.

2 to 4 Days After Surgery

Once you have passed the initial 24 hours after your procedure, here are some additional tips you can follow to facilitate healthy healing and recovery.

• Keep following any recovery instructions from your dentist.
• You can rinse with warm salt water, but do not rinse with vigor (keep it gentle).
• Continue to avoid alcohol, coffee, caffeinated beverages, and citrus/acidic juices and drinks.
• When eating, include soft and nutritious foods (apple sauce, scrambled eggs, yogurt, etc.).
• Don’t do any strenuous activities or heavy lifting.
• Switch from ice packs to warm compresses for 5 minutes at a time as needed.
• Don’t use tobacco products.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mukesh Patel today by calling the Ontario Dental Center at (909) 414-3535.