AFTER CARE INFORMATION

After Care – DENTAL IMPLANTS

Suppose you have received dental implants — artificial tooth roots — as a solution for anchoring dental prostheses such as a single replacement tooth or a dental bridge; proper after care is essential. Minor bleeding, redness, and swelling are normal after implant surgery. Fortunately, following the after care practices below will help reduce your pain level and speed up the healing process.

• Be careful: When your mouth is numb, it’s very easy to bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek.Be careful: When your mouth is numb, it’s very easy to bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek. Immediately after implant surgery, you can expect to notice numbness near the affected area of your mouth; you’ll also have a numb tongue and lips! 
  
• If the dental implant area continues to bleed, place a sterile gauze pad on the area and bite down on it firmly. Maintain pressure for a half-hour, and the bleeding should have stopped. If it does not stop, call us right away.
  
• If you are experiencing discomfort and swelling in the implant area, you may apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the outside of your cheek closest to the implant. 
  
• Take any prescribed pain medication when the anesthetic wears off; if not prescribed pain medication or pain is mild to moderate, take over-the-counter Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin in the standard dose.
  
• It’s best to avoid hot or hard foods on the day your implants are placed. Instead, drink plenty of fluids and soft foods that day. However, return to your regular diet the following day if possible.
  
• Do not rinse, spit, or touch the implant area after surgery. 
  
• Keep physical activity low after surgery, so you don’t disturb the implant site, causing discomfort or unnecessary bleeding.
  
• If you experience any sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks in the weeks following your implant surgery, use sensitivity-reducing toothpaste. (You may also notice temporary sensitivity to sweet foods, air, or extreme temperatures.) If your sensitivity lasts more than two weeks, please call our office.
  

As with any dental procedure, after care is essential after receiving dental implants. Implants fuse to your jawbone, becoming a permanent part of your mouth. They should last a lifetime as long as you continue practicing good dental hygiene and receiving regular checkups with Dr. Welch.

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