Protecting Your Teeth After Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants have rightly taken their place as the gold standard of teeth replacement methods over dentures, though these are still a viable option for many. While implants are generally easier to care for than dentures, they still need special attention. 

Our team at Sabrina E. Mickel DDS & Associates in Beachwood, Ohio, specializes in dental implant surgery. Visit us to learn more about the most effective way to conquer natural tooth loss, and check out our guide below for maintaining your dental implants.

Why post-operative care matters

Implants aren’t the fastest process from start to finish, though the technology is still evolving. 

The implant post sits directly in the bone of your jaw. Over time, it fuses with the bone, a process called osseointegration. 

Protecting the post site is the first step in surgical aftercare because tissue needs time to heal before the implant can be finished. Let’s look at the aftercare timeline, so you know how to protect your new implant through every stage. 

The first two days

Treat the implant site carefully, as you might care for a tooth extraction wound. Don’t disturb the location. In particular: 

• Don’t rinse your mouth or the area with an implant strenuously
• Don’t spit
• Don’t touch the area with a finger

It’s important to let clots form to provide natural protection against infection while encouraging efficient healing. Cold compresses help to manage swelling and discomfort. Eat soft and cool foods to avoid irritation or pressure against your new implant. Drinking alcohol and smoking will slow healing and increase your risk of infection. 

Oral hygiene

After 24 hours, start using gentle saltwater rinses to bring your mouth's bacterial levels down. Brush manually with a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste at this stage. Don’t turn to electric toothbrushes or water flossers yet, since the surgical site and clots are still fresh and vulnerable. 

Pain management

We’ll recommend over-the-counter and/or prescription medications to keep you comfortable, and give instructions on what to take and when. The swelling you experience will peak in the first three days after surgery and then start to taper off. 

If swelling gets worse and your pain persists or becomes more severe, contact our office so we can check for complications. After the first two days, improvements should be obvious and progressive. 

Eating as you recover

Gum tissue recovers in about two to three weeks, but the osseointegration process takes as long as six months. During the early stages of the process, stick with softer foods, like: 

• Mashed, well-cooked vegetables
• Soft proteins
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Smoothies

Though your gums are healing, they’re still vulnerable. Stay away from sticky foods, crunchy snacks, nuts, and seeds. Keep your food temperature moderate, too. Very hot foods can damage new gum tissue. If you can, chew on the side of your mouth opposite the new implant. 

We’ll monitor your implant during the recovery period and advise you when it’s safe to transition back to regular brushing and flossing. 

Contact Sabrina E. Mickel DDS & Associates to learn more about dental implants and book your appointment today.