How To Take Care Of Your Implants In The First 24 Hours After Surgery

Getting dental implants is a major decision and requires careful consideration. Once you’ve decided to go ahead with the procedure, knowing how to take care of your dental implants properly during the first 24 hours following surgery is essential. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what dental implants are, provide instructions for taking care of yourself after getting them, and explain why it’s essential to book a checkup after the surgery.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are prosthetic teeth surgically implanted into your gums and jawbone. They look and feel like natural teeth and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. The implant consists of three parts: a titanium screw that replaces the root of your tooth, an abutment that connects the implant to your gum tissue, and a crown or bridge that mimics your natural tooth structure.

Instructions To Follow After Getting Dental Implants

After getting dental implants, you should follow some specific instructions to ensure optimal healing. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself in the first 24 hours after surgery:

Keep The Gauze Pack In Place

It’s essential to keep the gauze pack in place for at least 30 minutes following surgery. This will help reduce bleeding and promote proper healing. 

Avoid Hard & Hot Food Items

You should avoid hard food items such as nuts or chips and hot foods such as soup or tea, as these could cause further damage or pain. Stick with soft foods such as mashed potatoes or yogurt instead.   

Do Not Smoke

Smoking can interfere with proper healing, so it’s best to avoid smoking for at least 48 hours after surgery. 

Don’t Pull On Your Lip

Avoid pulling on your lip or cheek, as this can lead to additional swelling or discomfort.

Treat The Swelling With Ice Packs

Applying ice packs regularly throughout the day can help reduce swelling in your mouth and face following surgery.

Take Rest To Reduce Bleeding

Take plenty of rest following surgery to reduce heavy bleeding from your gums or mouth area.  

Book A Checkup After The Surgery 

Even if you’re feeling okay after surgery, it’s still important to book a checkup with your dentist within 7-10 days so they can make sure everything is healing properly and answer any questions you may have about caring for your new implants correctly moving forward.  

Conclusion

Taking good care of yourself following dental implant surgery is essential for ensuring proper healing and long-term success with the implantation process. Following these steps—keeping the gauze pack in place, avoiding hard & hot food items, not smoking, treating swelling with ice packs, and taking rest—in combination with booking a checkup with your dentist shortly after surgery will ensure that you heal quickly and do not experience any complications down the line due to poor care during the recovery period.