If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants are durable, natural-looking solutions that can permanently restore your smile. However, in order to gain these long-term benefits, you must first undergo a few procedures in which the implant is placed and covered by a dental crown. Having a skilled oral surgeon by your side will make the procedure go smoothly, but it’s also important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to ensure you recover properly. If you’re preparing for dental implants, here are a few important ways you can heal comfortably after the procedure.

How to Promote Healing After a Dental Implant Procedure

1. Control Bleeding with Gauze

In the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, you should expect light bleeding—especially in the first hour after the treatment. To keep bleeding under control, place a clean piece of dental gauze on the surgical site. If bleeding continues, switch the gauze out about once every 30 minutes until it stops. If bleeding persists longer than it should or gets worse, consult your dentist.

2. Rest

While you may be eager to return to your daily activities, it’s important to take a few days to rest and relax after your implantation procedure. Giving yourself a quiet, calm place to rest and relax will allow your body to heal at a faster rate, as well as prevent your mouth from experiencing unnecessary stress.

3. Brush & Rinse Gently

Apart from taking prescribed antibiotics, rinsing and brushing your teeth will keep the area clean and minimize infection risk. When rinsing with salt water or another prescribed solution, gently shift the water around your mouth so you don’t disturb the treatment area. While it’s good to brush the night after your procedure, make sure to do so lightly and keep pressure off of the implant.

4. Apply Ice to Reduce Swelling

If you experience swelling and pain, applying a cold ice pack to your cheek can help minimize the inflammation. To prevent irritation, only keep the ice pack on for 20 minutes at a time and take 20-minute breaks between each application.

5. Consume Soft Foods

Chewing hard or hot foods may irritate the implant site and cause unnecessary pain. As such, it’s better to stick to a diet that consists of soft foods for the first couple days after surgery.

When you want to treat your smile to a high-quality dental implant experience, the Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska offer state-of-the-art care you can count on. Staffed by experienced oral surgeons, this Anchorage, AK dental clinic is known for providing smooth and stress-free implantation procedures. In addition to keeping you comfortable throughout every stage of treatment, this practice will provide you with in-depth aftercare instructions so you can enjoy a speedy recovery. Visit this oral surgery clinic online to learn more about their comprehensive treatment options or call (907) 561-1430 to schedule a consultation.