Dental implants are more than cosmetic dentistry treatment. It is a restorative treatment whose primary goal is tooth replacement. When you lose your teeth, whether due to accident or decay, it is important to have the teeth replaced. This helps to preserve your dental integrity and your smile. While bridges and dentures can do the trick, dental implants offer a more permanent solution for your missing teeth.

Teeth implants are surgically fixed on the jaw bone to anchor the artificial teeth. These dental restorations are flexible and allow you to get a permanent fix; whether you have a single tooth missing or are looking for full mouth dental implants.

But, for our Monmouth Junction dentist to recommend dental implants, you need to have sufficient bone density. Failure to which you’ll be subjected to other surgical procedures to stimulate bone growth.

The process of fixing the implants can take a few dental visits spread over a couple of months. After the implants are fixed, how you take care of your teeth and gums will determine how successful the treatment will be.

1.Manage Swelling and Discomfort

Swelling on the mouth, cheeks, and sides of the face will occur after the implants are fixed. This is a normal occurrence as the body reacts to the implants. Stiffness of the jaw is also a common problem after the implant surgery, and you may not be able to open the jaw and mouth wide for a couple of days. These dental problems will clear after a while, but you can manage the swelling by:

  • Applying ice pack 20 minutes for the first 48 hours after the treatment. Place the ice bag on the outer part of the affected area, but avoid placing the ice on direct skin.
  • After 48 hours change to heat therapy
  • Elevate your head when sleeping to minimize pain and swelling.

Swelling usually lasts for three to four days.

2.Watch What You Eat

Following the implant surgery, it is important to avoid eating until the anesthesia wears out. This will help to reduce the chances of your biting or hurting yourself. The dentist may recommend you to take ice cream to ease the pain.

Eat soft foods that require less chewing and avoid using the surgical area. Prevent dehydration by taking fluids often.

Focus on taking foods that are nutrient-dense to supply the required nutrients and also give you energy.

Avoid taking spicy, hot, hard, and chewy foods. After a couple of days, you can start to add foods gradually until you attain your regular diet.

3.Maintain Proper Hygiene 

Good hygiene practices are important after your treatment, but you can resume your standard practices after 24 hours. No mouth rinsing of any kind should be done on the day following the surgery.

48 hours after the procedure, it might help to gently rinse your mouth with mild saltwater at least five to six times every day for a week or two to keep infection at bay.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or mouth wash for the first two weeks. After about a month, you can begin to clean the implant area with a soft toothbrush.  

4.Stay Away from Smoking 

Smoking or chewing tobacco may interfere with the healing process and the integration of the bone and the implant. The success of implant surgery largely depends on the implant and bone fusing (osseointegration). If this process is unsuccessful, the treatment could fail. Avoid smoking a few days leading to the implant surgery and weeks after the procedure.

5.Avoid Further Complications 

Excessive pressure and biting force on the implant site are some of the common reasons why implants may fail. It is, therefore, important to avoid biting hard objects. Also, inform the dentist if you suffer from bruxism. You may require a customized mouth guard to prevent clenching and grinding.

Schedule an Appointment

Implants are a great tooth replacement treatment, but you need to be eligible for the dentist to recommend them. Visit Brunswick Smiles for an assessment and more information on teeth implants.

‍