After your dental implant procedure in Perth, you need to take care of the health and wellbeing of your teeth. There are a few things that can help with this. It is recommended that you persist with maintenance of good oral hygiene, by practising toothbrushing twice per day; getting plenty of rest and avoiding heavy activities, like sports, for at least three days after surgery – main reason is to avoid raising your blood pressure.
At West Coast Dental Care, we have created an overview of aftercare advice.
#1 Avoid hot food and drinks
Now that your procedure is complete, you are in implant post-procedure care mode. Dental implants aftercare begins immediately upon completion and one of the most important aspects, initially, is to avoid hot drinks and eating, certainly whilst your mouth is still numb. You may burn or bite yourself without realising. Be sure to avoid chilli and other spicy foods, where possible. Drink cold water by sipping it – definitely don’t rinse your mouth until the next day. In this way, you will be able to reduce any disturbance to the surgical site.
#2 Treat any mild discomfort and swelling with icepacks
You made it home and the procedure was a success! Icepacks will help reduce the amount of swelling – which is a normal reaction of your body and part of the healing process. Don’t panic. In fact, up to 3-5 days after an operation, one may see increased inflammation. You should be following the verbal and written post care advice that will be provided to you. Use any pain killers that we have suggested for you.
#3 In the first week, use warm saltwater to mouthwash
Now that you have pain and swelling covered, it’s time to focus on the next aspect of dental implant aftercare: keeping your mouth clean. A cupful of warm saltwater (so it tastes like the sea) can make an antiseptic solution for fighting bacteria to reduce the chances of complications during the healing process. We would want you to avoid aggressive sloshing. Just hold the water over the area and shake your head, rather than squishing your cheeks. In this way, the saltwater is mobile over the surgical area, but it is not placed under pressure with the use of the cheek muscles or tongue. You will be cleaning the rest of your mouth and teeth in the normal way.
#4 Rinse your mouth after every meal
After your procedure, you will be able to eat some solid foods. But don’t try them right away! Your Perth dentist will give more advice on how soon this might happen and what kinds of things would make sense for the first meal after an implant surgery like yours.
Are you looking for more advice? Our team in Perth are more than happy to address your queries. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at your dental consultation.
To book a dental consultation in Perth, contact West Coast Dental Care through our form or give us a call on (08) 9205 1855.
