The Importance Of Preventive Dental Care At Any Age

Posted on: 9 February 2023

Are you scheduled to get a dental implant in the near future? You'll want to know more about the recovery process that is going to follow in the days afterward. Here are a few key things you should know about what will happen.

You Will Have Pain and Discomfort

There is no sugarcoating it since you need to know that you will be in pain after the procedure. However, this is perfectly normal considering that a titanium post was inserted into your jaw to support the crown. It's possible that you'll just be told to take over-the-counter pain relievers to deal with the discomfort. However, you should contact your dentist if those are not working. They'll likely prescribe you something much smaller to take from home.

Your Face Will Bruise

It is also normal to have bruising in your face along the side where the dental implant was placed into your jawbone. The way to deal with swelling is to use ice rather than heat. Ice is going to cause the blood to flow away from the area and decrease swelling, while heat would cause the blood to do the opposite and cause more swelling. It also will help to keep your head elevated above your heart as well to help allow the blood to flow out of the bruised area.

Your Gums Will Bleed

Another side effect to expect from the surgery is mild bleeding. You'll need to gently apply pressure to the surgical site with clean gauze in order to absorb the blood and help the area stop bleeding. A great way to prevent bleeding is to eat soft foods since they can put pressure on the surgical site. You should also avoid any sort of drinking straw that pressurizes your mouth since it runs the risk of dislodging a blood clot.

You'll Need To Brush Gently

It's important to keep up with your regular brushing two times a day, even if it is uncomfortable. The trick is to use a soft bristle toothbrush and gently brush the area around the implant. Getting rid of all the bacteria around the surgical site is going to help prevent you from getting an infection.

When rinsing out your mouth, try not to do it by swishing the water around with your mouth closed. Instead, put a small amount of water in your mouth and gently rock your head from side to side. Then you can let the water naturally fall out of your mouth.

To learn more about full mouth reconstruction procedures like dental implants, contact a dentist in your area.