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What Is the Ideal Oral Health Routine to Practice After Tooth Implant?

What Is the Ideal Oral Health Routine to Practice After Tooth Implant?

June 1, 2020

Getting dental implants in North York is one of the most effective ways to preserve your teeth, especially in cosmetic dentistry. The process involves the placement of a metallic post that anchors the tooth securely to the jawbone. A new root system gets created as the jawbone and the metal fuse together.

As durable as dental implants are, there is a great need to take care of them after your procedure.

Maintaining high standards of oral hygiene will prevent infections from developing and minimize the chances of accumulation of bacteria.

What You Should Expect After the Procedure

Bleeding

During the next 24 hours after the surgery, you may experience bleeding. Minor bleeding is normal and can be managed by applying pressure around the region. Our dentists will give you a gauze pad to bite on for about an hour or until the bleeding stops. The pad is then gently removed.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you can also use a moistened tea bag in the place of the gauze pad. Tea leaves contain tannic acid, which quickens clotting.

To encourage faster healing of the affected area:

  • Do not disturb or tamper with the implant region with your fingers or tongue for at least 24 hours. Doing so may dislodge the already formed clot and cause bleeding.
  • Avoid spitting, sucking, smoking, or the use of straws.
  • Minimize your activities for the rest of the day. Strenuous exertion can lead to throbbing and cause the bleeding to resume again. Get lots of rest instead.

Swelling of the face

Some patients experience swelling a day or two after the surgery. You are probably going to notice it the following day. The swelling usually peaks after 2 or three days and then subsides.

For a quicker recovery, you can place an ice pack wrapped in a towel against the swollen area. Do not put it more than 20 minutes without a 10-minute break.

If the swelling persists for more than 24 hours, switch to heat application since ice packs will no longer have an effect.

So what are some of the steps you can take to ensure you stick to high levels of oral health routines after your implant procedure?

Brushing your Teeth

our dentist in North York advise cleaning your teeth at least twice every day. This should be done in the morning and before you go to sleep. The latter is more important since a lot of bacteria thrive more during the night.

Getting the right toothbrush is also just as important. At Quad Dental, we can provide you with Interdental toothbrushes that get in between your teeth and clean them thoroughly. Moreover, we also advise you on the right size and shape of your toothbrush so that you clean even the hard to reach places.

Night Guards

For patients who experience teeth grinding during the night, we recommend night guards. These will preserve your teeth by preventing bone loss.

Flossing

Flossing after an implant procedure can be a challenging task since plaque build-up risks the development of an infection. Fortunately, there are certain types of floss designed for implants. These leave no debris, and they do not fray your tooth during the process.

If flossing is not an option for you due to difficulty, you can try out oral irrigators.

You can gurgle warm salty water or mouthwash daily, a day after the surgery. However, avoid vigorous swilling.

Food and Drinks

You need to stay hydrated after the surgery. Drink a lot of water and avoid hot drinks. The best approach is to take only cold beverages for the first 24 hours.

Don’t eat spicy foods and refrain from taking alcoholic beverages.

Eating may prove problematic for the first several days, but ensure you continue to do it since you need to stay nourished. This will fasten your healing process and give you more energy. However, eat soft foods only and avoid things like seeded fruits, popcorns, and any sticky foods that can get stuck in between your teeth.

The Healing Process

Your healing is going to happen quickly and without any significant discomfort. Some dentists may let you heal and wait for the jawbone and the post to fuse before placing the permanent teeth.

Your lifestyle choices will play a vital role in how fast you recover. Smoking is one of the greatest impediments to quick healing. By maintaining optimal levels of oral hygiene, you can make your healing process smooth and safe.

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