If you have recently received dental implants in Houston, learn the steps you should take to make sure your implants stay healthy and strong in your jaw. Dental implants have a high rate of success — up to 95 percent in eligible patients — but proper care is mandatory. Keep reading to learn how to care for your dental implants immediately after placement, and for years down the line. Congratulations on making the best choice in tooth replacement!
What to Do Right After Your Implants Are Placed
Following the surgical placement of traditional dental implants, you will experience the side effects associated with any minor oral surgery. Your gums may feel tender or uncomfortable, they may swell, and you may notice light bleeding around the treatment site. Take pain medication as recommended, and apply an ice pack in 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) to reduce swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin. Side effects should subside after five to seven days. If bleeding, discomfort, or swelling worsen or do not improve, contact your doctor. Additional steps you can take to make sure your implants remain healthy in the days following your surgery include:- Avoiding strenuous activity
- Maintaining a nutritious soft foods diet
- Keeping the head elevated
- Following all of your doctor’s instructions
- Avoiding tobacco products