Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits, which include their durability and convenience. Although most people recover quickly from the dental implant fitting process, a few develop complications. Follow these tips to reduce your risk of complications and speed up your recovery.
1. Avoid Drinking
Dentists recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol until the site of your implant fitting has healed. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, which increases sensitivity in the mouth and raises the risk of bleeding during recovery.
2. Quit Smoking
Smoking during dental implant recovery slows down the healing process. The act of sucking on a cigarette can cause the clot that forms on the surgical site to dislodge, leading to bleeding and pain. Over the long term, the chemicals in cigarette smoke reduce gum health, which increases the risk that your dental implants will fail and need to be removed. Less than 2% of implants placed in non-smokers fail, but this figure rises to over 15% among people who smoke.
3. Use a Salt Water Rinse
After any oral surgery, there is a risk of infection. The mouth is naturally full of bacteria, which can cause serious problems if they invade the gum tissue and start to multiply there. Gently swishing saltwater in your mouth is an easy and safe way to prevent bacterial growth and support healing.
4. Brush Gently
Some people are reluctant to brush their teeth after getting a dental implant fitted because the gums are more sensitive than usual. However, it is important to keep your mouth clean during this time. Use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth as gently as you can. If you use an electric toothbrush, be sure to use the sensitive mode to reduce irritation.
5. Stick to Soft Foods
Chewing is painful after oral surgery, so you should choose foods that are soft. Good options include oatmeal, smoothies, soups, yoghurt and boiled vegetables. As the implant site heals and sensitivity decreases, you can expand the range of foods you eat. When your dental implants are fully integrated into your gums, you should be able to eat any food you like, including hard and chewy foods that can be difficult to tackle with dentures.
6. Take All Your Antibiotics
If your dentist thinks you have a high risk of infection, they will give you a course of antibiotics to take. Be sure to take every pill as directed. Don't give up on taking the antibiotics simply because you feel well.
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