Dental Implant Aftercare

March 6, 2019

 

After your treatment, taking care of your new dental implant as you would your natural teeth is important. We recommend maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine to facilitate the healing process. Our Dental Implants & Aesthetics team has included some helpful tips to guide you with your ‘Dental Implant Aftercare’.

We provide a Dental Implant Aftercare package with essential items for caring for your new implant.  We cannot emphasise the importance of maintaining meticulous oral hygiene during and after dental implant treatment. Your Dental Implant Aftercare package will include:

Tooth Brush

Brushing after every meal is essential, as your implant will increase the amount of trapped food and plaque on your teeth at this stage. Make sure you take your toothbrush with you wherever you go so you can brush after meals or snacks. We recommend using a soft toothbrush (like the one we have given you) specially designed to be used with your implant.

Interdental Brushes

These brushes can be used to clean around the area of your implant. Use them to clean in between your tooth and implant. Be careful not to put excess pressure on the implant.

Antiseptic Gel

We have provided you with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash or Gel to regularly apply to the area (especially morning and night). Starting the day after treatment, gently swish 5-10mL around your mouth and spit out the solution. You can also use the mouthwash several times daily, but most importantly, after each meal.

Swelling and bruising

After your procedure, you can expect some pain, swelling, bruising, and minimal bleeding. These may develop immediately or appear within the first 24-48 hours post surtgery.

Tip: Do not blow your nose after treatment or use force involving the sinus for upper implants. It is also advisable to avoid using a straw.

Ice Packs

For the first 24 hours, we recommend using ice packs. Apply the ice pack gently at 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on and 5 off). This will aid in reducing swelling.

Gauze Pack

Our patient care pack includes sterilized gauze. A little bit of blood oozing in saliva is normal and may persist for up to 48 hours. However, if any bleeding occurs, please bite on the gauze for 30 minutes.

Dental Implant Aftercare

Following these tips will help you to take optimal care of your implant.

• Numbness: Be careful, your lip is numb due to the anesthesia. Avoid eating food until the anesthesia has dissipated. If you must consume food, try to chew on the opposite side of the surgical site.
• Soft diet: For a few days after the procedure, it is recommended that you supplement your diet with plenty of fluids, yogurt, and custards.
  (avoid consuming seeds or multi-grain bread and bread crust for at least 48 hours).
• Avoid hot or warm foods: For at least 24-48 hours following surgery as it may stimulate bleeding.
• No smoking: Refrain from smoking during the healing period. Smoking may void any implant warranty.
• Take time to recover:  Avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours after your operation. We can supply you with a medical certificate upon request.
• Antibiotics: Please complete the full course of antibiotics that will be prescribed to you.
• Pain relief:  take the Panadeine forte, which was prescribed with your antibiotics. Avoid aspirin-based medication as this may cause excessive bleeding

Please contact our team to learn more about dental implant treatment before or after your surgery, and we are more than happy to answer any of your queries.