Dental implants are much more common nowadays than ever before. In fact, up to 15 million people are currently living in the U.S. with crown and bridge replacements for their missing teeth.
You should obviously take great care of your teeth in order to avoid needing any major dental procedures, but don’t worry too much if you are one of the 15 million that needs a tooth extraction.
It’ll be your responsibility to take better care of your teeth and your dental implant afterward, though.
In addition to staying in contact with your dentist, here are some tips for taking care of your teeth following a dental procedure.
Get plenty of rest
If you are too active following a major dental procedure, you will increase your chance of severe swelling, bleeding, and other problems. While your implants heal and adjust to your mouth, you should be relaxing and adjusting, too. It’s best to spend the first couple of days after receiving your implants just relaxing at home.
Drink a lot of water.As long as you are properly hydrating, your mouth will heal much quicker. When your mouth is properly hydrated, it heals better and there will be fewer complications. Try drinking between six and eight glasses of water each day for a week or two after your surgery.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Drinking and smoking should never be done after major dental surgeries. Drinking alcohol will result in an increase in inflammation and can lead to serious oral infections. Additionally, smoking will inhibit your ability to heal and increase your risk of periodontal disease. Be sure to not do either at least a week or two after your dental procedure.
Make sure you’re taking care of yourself before, during, and after any dental procedure. If you are going to have a tooth extraction followed by dental implants, make sure you talk to your doctor about how to take better care of your implants to avoid any health concerns. Contact Waco Surgical Arts today to learn more about proper dental care.