Dental Implant Aftercare
Anyone interested in dental implants should know that proper dental implant aftercare following placement surgery is essential to ensuring the success of your treatment for many years to come.
Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky has over 35 years of experience providing restorative care to his patients in the Edmonton, AB, area. Dr. Podilsky can help you experience many years of benefits by providing you with the patient education you need. Let’s have a look at the steps you should take after surgery in order to make the most of this tooth replacement solution.
Tips for Dental Implant Surgery Recovery
We’ll go over the aftercare instructions with you in more detail during your consultation at our Edmonton, AB office. These instructions will pertain to:
- Managing swelling and discomfort. Patients can expect bleeding, redness, swelling, and discomfort in the days following the surgery.
- Changing your diet. Plan to be on a liquid and soft food diet for the first four to five days after.
- Taking it easy. Avoid straining yourself as you heal following surgery.
Maintaining Comfort and Managing Swelling
Swelling and a bit of minor discomfort are to be expected after dental surgery. For most patients, elevating your head while resting, using ice packs, and taking over-the-counter pain medication are enough for comfort. Depending on your unique health profile, you may need antibiotics to prevent infection. Be sure to finish the prescription if you are prescribed antibiotics. After a couple of days, you can begin using an antimicrobial mouth rinse to protect against the bacteria that cause infections. You will also need to avoid brushing the treatment site for several days.
What to Eat
You will need to stick to soft foods for the first several days after surgery. Stay away from anything that’s surgery, crunchy, gummy, chewy, or tough enough that you have to exert significant chewing pressure. Not only can this cause you pain, but you also run the risk of disturbing the treatment site or getting food trapped beneath your gums. Beverages require you to be mindful as well. Stick to room-temperature items until you can tolerate drinks that are especially hot or cold.
Avoiding Irritants
You must stay away from alcohol and tobacco following the procedure. Not only are both natural diminishers of your immune system, but they cause the surgical site to become inflamed and disrupt the healing process. The longer the healing process, the greater the risk of infection and implant failure. You should also limit your physical activity to non-strenuous action for a few days. However, don’t hesitate to take walks or engage in other light activities.
Book Your Appointment
Dr. Podilsky believes that patient education is the key to success when it comes to any dental procedure, and dental implants are no exception. As his patient, you can expect to be fully informed of what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. He will also patiently answer all of your questions to make certain that you are able to make an informed decision. If you’re ready to enhance your oral health and rebuild your smile, call our office in Edmonton, AB. You can reach us by calling 1-780-428-6846, or you can send us a message online to request your consultation today.
