periodontist

Tips to Ensure a Successful Dental Implant Recovery

Implant dentistry allows those with missing teeth to replace them with natural-looking and -feeling teeth that don’t shift or move in the mouth. The initial recovery after implants are placed is vital to the long-term success of the implants, so be sure to take care of yourself and follow our dentist’s instructions after your surgery.

Caring for Yourself Right After Implant Surgery

Like any surgery, dental implant surgery requires a few days of recovery time. Our implant dentist will give you details instructions on how to take care of your mouth right after surgery. This can include:

• Antibiotics (be sure to take the full course)
• Painkillers
• Rinsing your mouth with salt water
• Staying home from work for a day or two
• Using ice packs to reduce swelling
• Using gauze to reduce bleeding

Don’t try to rush back to work right after you’ve had your dental implants placed. It’s important to rest and heal according to your dentist’s instructions so your implants have the best possible odds for long-term success.

Long-Term Care of Dental Implants

The full healing process for dental implants takes several weeks. During this time, the bone of the jaw grows around and bonds to the material of the implant, creating a strong bond that will keep your implants stationary. It will also help the implants stimulate growth in your jawbone.

Once the implants have healed and your new prosthetic teeth have been added, be sure to continue to take good care of your teeth and gums. Brush your new teeth to prevent buildup of bacteria and plaque, and be sure to also clean any remaining natural teeth. You should also floss around the abutments of your implants. You might need to visit the dentist a bit more frequently to ensure your gums are healthy. Gum disease can lead to failure in dental implants, so it’s very important to maintain good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s guidelines in caring for your new implants.

To schedule a consultation to discuss whether dental implants are right for you, call our team today!

Maintaining Good Oral Health after Gum Treatment

If you’ve had gum disease and required treatment for your gums, you’ll want to be sure to take good care of your oral health afterwards. This will not only help you heal effectively, but will help prevent you from redeveloping the problems that caused your gum disease in the first place.

Immediately after Gum Treatment

There are various types of gum treatments, and depending upon which treatment you received, your healing time can be shorter or longer. Our periodontist will provide instructions for how to take care of your mouth right after your treatment. These instructions could include:

• Use ice packs to reduce swelling
• Avoid brushing for a few days
• Avoid certain foods for a few days
• Take all prescription medications as directed

If you’ve had gum surgery, you’ll need to take very careful care of your mouth until your stitches are removed, then gradually ease back into your normal everyday routine. For less invasive procedures, you’ll require less recovery time, but still might be sore or uncomfortable for a short time. Over-the-counter pain relievers are often sufficient for procedures like deep cleaning or planing and scaling.

Long-Term Care of your Gums

In the long term, you’ll want to continue to take good care of your gums so you won’t develop gum disease again. Regular flossing and brushing are the best ways to keep your gums healthy. Be sure to use a brush that isn’t too stiff, and be sure you’re using the proper flossing technique to ensure the best results. If you’re not sure what proper flossing technique is, ask your dentist for a demonstration.

If you have recurring problems with gingivitis or other gum issues, an electronic toothbrush or a water-style tooth cleaner can help. Talk to our dentist about recommendations for the best approach to your oral hygiene. Keeping your gums healthy is an important way to avoid tooth loss, serious gum disease, and even cardiovascular disease.

If you’ve recently had gum surgery and want more information for the best aftercare instructions, call our office to speak with our dental professionals.