Dental implants have become the leading tooth replacement system on the dental market today. Because they are a permanent answer to your loose or missing teeth, men and women don’t have to deal with drawbacks of other, outdated options like slipping, sliding, and breaking dentures and partials dentures. Dental implants give patients the ability to eat all of their favorite foods, and they work to maintain jawbone strength and facial structure by stimulating the jawbone tissue just like your natural tooth roots once did.
Making the decision to have dental implants placed is no small decision, so we know you want to protect your investment by learning how to properly care for your dental implants. Unfortunately, Dr. Emery, Retana and DiFabio often come across prospective patients who mistakenly believe that their dental implants will be carefree, and they won’t have to do much to take care of them. In reality, your new prosthetic teeth will require the same care your original teeth did. Keep reading as we go into more detail about how to properly care for your dental implants.
Immediately Following Your Dental Implants Placement Procedure
Our doctors at Capital Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery are recognized experts in the field of dental implantology, and their practice has served thousands of patients in the area for more than 35 years.
One thing Dr. Emery, Retana and DiFabio truly value is patient education. Preparing their patients to make the best decision for their oral health is vital to the success of any procedure. Immediately following the placement of your dental implants, your doctor will provide you with specific aftercare instructions which you should follow carefully to ensure dental implants success and a smooth, healthy recovery.
Perform Proper Oral Hygiene as Directed
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, patients should use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt-water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals.
Rest
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Until you are not taking pain medication for your mouth. Remember for the first 24 to 72 hours you may have no pain at all if you have been given Experal. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Stick to a Soft Foods Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless Dr. Emery, Retana or DiFabio direct otherwise.
Control Bleeding and Swelling
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) is very rare but should it occur itcan be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, plastic bag filled with ice, or a towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. We recommend that our patients apply ice continuously, and as often as possible for the first 24 hours.
General Care of Your Dental Implants
Remember, taking proper care of your dental implants will ensure you are able to enjoy them for a lifetime. Diligently perform proper oral hygiene daily:
- Brush twice daily
- Floss once daily
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash once daily
- Keep your regular dental visits for cleanings and checkups
Schedule Your Consultation at Capital Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Today
The experience and extensive training of Dr. Emery, Retana and DiFabio promote safe, predictable, and natural-looking results for every patient.
If you’re ready to discuss the option of dental implants with Dr. Emery, Retana or DiFabio, call their office today at (202) 386-7100 to schedule your first appointment.
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