The process of replacing the root portion of a missing tooth through a metal post is known as a tooth implant or dental implant. Dental implant services is the best replacement for a missing tooth. In this process, the metal posts replace missing or damaged teeth. These artificial teeth look like the real ones. The general health condition of the patient and position of the jaws and the bones have a great impact on the dental implant; therefore, dental implant aftercare is very important and must be dealt with seriously. Here is a complete guide regarding the aftercare of a dental implant or tooth implant aftercare in other words. We’ll go over all the dental implant aftercare instructions in regards to food, care and maintenance after the tooth implant. These instructions will enable you to get all the benefits of the dental implant.
Dental Implant Removal
If all the professional recovery instructions, after dental implant surgery, are not followed. It can lead to implant failure which requires its removal. Implants can be rejected due to infection, known as early implant failure; however, dental implants may also fail due to peri-implantitis or too much force being applied to it. You should always go for a pre-implant test before looking for dental implant nearby options.
Two removal procedures are used by the dentists for implant removal:
- An osseointegrated implant,
- A non-osseointegrated implant
In both cases, the removal procedure looks similar to a placement surgery. The patient goes under anesthesia and the dentist removes the crown with the help of its specific tools. The abutment is also taken out and at last, the implant is removed.
How to Take Care after a Dental Implant
There are many benefits of dental implants only if you take proper care of it after the surgery. There are things you need to take care of such as avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol and drinking hot or cold fluids. Proper dental implant aftercare can increase the life span of your dental implant surgery.
Dental Implant Post-Operative aftercare Instructions
Here are some of the instructions that you must follow after a tooth implant surgery:
- After surgery, make sure you don’t spit for 24 hours.
- Apply bags of ice packs on the surgical area for the next 48 hours, time after time.
- If there’s mild pain in your gum, take painkillers such as Ibuprofen or the medicines prescribed by the physician.
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and follow a diet that consists of easily swallowed foods.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking for at least 5 days after the dental implant.
- Avoid heavy activity or exercise for 3 to 4 days. As your diet and fluid intake may be reduced, so you may experience weakness or dizziness.
- Do not touch the surgical area with your fingers or tongue.
Temporary dental implant aftercare
Normally swelling is expected after dental surgery. It may reach its peak after two to three days of the dental implant. For reducing the pain, it is recommended to place an ice pack on the cheek. The swelling can also be eased by sleeping on two or three pillows. At the same time, the application of moist heat can also reduce the swollen portion.
It’s normal to experience a little bleeding after a dental implant. It can be overcome by biting on a gauze pad for 30 minutes. To minimize bleeding, sit upright and avoid physical exercises. Dental implant care and maintenance should be fully focused for the first few weeks.
Aftercare of dental implant surgery
There are certainly some dental implant after-care instructions about food, eating routine and maintenance. You should strictly follow the following tooth implant aftercare food instructions:
Dental Implant Aftercare and Eating
Taking a proper diet is very necessary in the tooth implant aftercare. Follow the following diet plan after dental implantation:
- Eating hot food must be avoided
- Drink a lot of water
- After your surgery, you can eat soft foods for a day
- Swilling liquid over the area of the dental work must be prohibited
- Try to eat nourishing food to stay hydrated
- Patients must incorporate less acidic foods and nutrient-rich drinks.
Using straws must be avoided since the suction can disturb clots. Avoid eating hard foods such as popcorns, nuts, or any other food containing seeds. Escape rinsing, excess spitting, or strong chewing and limit caffeine products. All of the above steps must be strictly followed because taking care of your food is the most important in the tooth implant aftercare. Patients can return to a normal diet after a few days.
Dental Implant Aftercare and Smoking
Smoking after a tooth implant can be really harmful. According to research, if you continue to smoke after the surgery, it can lead to an early loss of the implant. Smoking can cause an inflammatory disease called peri-implantitis that reduces the survival chances of the dental implant significantly. It causes the formation of mucosal sacs that make the ridge weak and as a result, it leads to implant loss.
There are several other ways in which smoking affects the quality and lifespan of your dental implant. Cigarette smoking damages the sensitive tissues in your mouth that have a direct effect on the salivary glands. The saliva production decreases which weakens the gums that support the tooth implant. Nicotine, a harmful chemical in cigarette smoke, inhibits the flow of oxygen and blood to the oral tissues and ultimately weakens the healing process of the surgical area.
Dental Implant Aftercare and Alcohol
Alcohol consumption after a tooth implant surgery can greatly affect your dental implant’s health. It inhibits the healing process of the surgical area. After the surgery, your body starts to rebuild the bones and tissues around the dental implant, drinking alcohol in this stage can reduce the healing efficiency.
It is advised by the experts to avoid alcohol consumption for at least 3 days after a dental implant surgery. Alcohol also has a drying effect in the oral cavity that leads to increased sensitivity of the oral tissues and again, interrupts the healing process. The blood vessels around the dental implant can dilate due to alcohol, causing pain and discomfort.
Whether the surgery is successful or not, it depends on the aftercare for dental implant surgery and whether you are avoiding the things that can reduce its lifespan or not. Alcohol can also cause a disease called Avascular Necrosis through which the blood vessels become blocked. As alcohol increases the fat content in the body, it can block the arteries near the jaw and lead to serious complications.
