Dental implants are a great way to replace a broken or missing tooth and get your smile back to where you want it to be. That said, dental implant surgery does come with some side effects that you will be dealing with in the days that follow the procedure. As always, listen to your dentist first to help ensure a smooth recovery. But there are a few universal tips that you will want to keep in mind. Here are 3 suggestions for speeding up your recovery following a dental implant procedure.
Rinse With Saltwater Daily
The aftermath of your surgery will likely leave your mouth feeling swollen. Your dentist will most likely prescribe you some medicine to help with this but there's also something you can do at home that won't cost you much of anything. Rinsing with saltwater can help alleviate the swelling and pain, and it can also help prevent infection and slow or stop bleeding. You may want to alternate between using saltwater and traditional mouthwash throughout the day.
Don't Cheat on the Tobacco or Alcohol
The aftermath of oral surgery can be especially difficult for long-time smokers or regular drinkers. The irritants contained in tobacco products could lead to an infection, or at least make the recovery process much longer than it needs to be. Smoking a cigarette and then immediately rinsing won't work either. By then the damage has already been done. While it may be difficult for you, stay away from all tobacco and alcohol products 100 percent. This might even be the excuse you've been waiting for to stop smoking or drinking altogether, which will obviously have additional benefits for your health.
Maintain Proper Care
It can be tempting in the days following a dental implant procedure to just go without brushing at all. After all, the inside of your mouth hurts and it might feel like poking around in there with a brush will do more harm than good. But it's still important to maintain proper care following surgery. Gently brushing your teeth can actually help prevent infection or additional inflammation of the gums.
The first few days following dental implant surgery can be rough. Follow the advice of your dentist at all times and when in doubt, use your head. Don't try to sneak a cigarette or beer, maintain a regular routine for brushing your teeth daily and remember that you can turn to saltwater as a natural solution if the swelling becomes too much to bear. Visit a dental center like NYC Center for Dental Implants if you have any questions.
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