Top 4 Aftercare Mistakes To Avoid With Dental Implants
Whether you're considering dental implants or have already scheduled your appointment to have this procedure done, the fact remains that proper aftercare is vital. Following the placement of your implants, your dentist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing and reduce your risk of complications. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes people tend to make when it comes to caring for their implants after a procedure. By being aware of these common mistakes and how to avoid them, you can protect yourself.
Skipping Your Follow-Up Appointments
Approximately one week after your dental implant post is drilled into place, your dentist will likely want to see you for a follow-up appointment before placing the actual implant onto the post. This appointment is vital in ensuring that the dental implant wound is healing properly and there are no signs of infection before moving forward, so don't skip it or any other follow-up appointments recommended by your dentist.
Ignoring Prolonged Pain and Swelling
While some pain and swelling is to be expected in the first couple of days after your implant procedure, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible if swelling and pain worsen or return several days afterwards. This is especially important if your pain and swelling is accompanied by unexplained bleeding around the implant area, as this could be a sign of an infection. Failure to have this addressed by your dentist as soon as possible could lead to further complications.
Smoking Before the Wound Has Healed
If you're a smoker, your dentist will likely advise you not to smoke until the wound around your implant has completely healed. This could take anywhere from a couple of weeks to an entire month. Smoking before the healing process is complete can increase your risk of infection and further lengthen the body's natural healing process. During this time, consider making the switch to an electronic cigarette or safer alternative.
Exercising Poor Dental Hygiene
Finally, be sure to follow your dentist's recommendations regarding dental hygiene after your procedure. More than likely, this will involve using a special antibacterial mouth wash to reduce the risk of infection as well as gently brushing and flossing the area. In some cases, salt water gargling may also be recommended to promote faster healing. Poor dental hygiene will increase your risk of infection and other potentially dangerous complications, so always follow your dentist's recommendations in this regard.
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