Essential Tips on How to Look After Your Implants Post-Surgery

Having missing teeth is normal, and millions of Americans can attest to this fact. However, to improve many people’s lives, our dentist in Lakewood has several tooth replacement options. Dental implant treatment is by far the gold-standard of tooth replacement.

Dental implants can drastically improve your oral health. They boast of a host of advantages, including improved speech, prevention of jawbone deterioration, and so much more. However, you need to properly care for them post-surgery so that they can serve you for a long time.

Our dentist in Lakewood has some nuggets of wisdom that can help you take excellent care of your new set of teeth. Let’s look at some of these tips.

What to Avoid After Treatment

It’s quite tempting to eat everything you used to eat, especially when your smile is restored. However, it would help if you held your horses before you delve into your normal diet. When your implants are fused into your jawbone, and you have healed, you will enjoy your favorite foods.

However, after surgery, you need to be careful not to damage the implants and set your treatment back. So, after treatment,you need to avoid the following foods:

• Acidic foods such as tomatoes or oranges, since these foods have high acidity levels and can cause burning pain in your healing gums
• Very hot foods and beverages or liquids such as soup or coffee, because you can hurt your gums
• Spicy foods, such as salsa or hot peppers, because they can cause pain and discomfort
• Crunchy foods such as chips, popcorns, nuts, etc. These foods can get dislodged between your teeth and cause inflammation and pain. They are also difficult foods to chew.
• Cracked pepper and other foods that can get lodged in between your teeth and implants and lead to inflammation and pain
• Tough foods such as raw vegetables and steak, which need a lot of chewing or biting force, can easily cause pain.
• Sticky and chewy foods such as bagels, gummy bears, caramel, taffy, and so on, which can get stuck on your teeth and in between the spaces

What to Eat After Treatment

After implant placement, your jaws, teeth, and gums will be in a delicate state. Therefore, you need to be careful the first week after surgery. Here are some of the foods that you can add to your diet:

• Applesauce. You might not eat an apple immediately after the procedure, but you can enjoy some applesauce since it’s packed with nutrients, and you will not harm your gums.
• Cold soups. Avoiding hot foods and liquids is essential; however, cold soups such as gazpacho and others may be good alternatives.
• Smoothies. Smoothies are awesome since they do not require chewing and are filling, nutritious, and have essential vitamins.

As you keep on healing, you can also introduce some solid food into your diet, such as:

• Potatoes – These are an excellent choice since they are soft and versatile—the kind of food you need, especially when you’re looking for variety.
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt – Dairy products are essential in the healing process since they are packed with calcium and protein. They help to keep your teeth strong.
• Chicken, fish, and ground beef – It’s good to start with softer meals such as fish or chicken and some ground beef.
• Pasta, rice, and soft bread are also excellent soft foods that can be introduced into your diet.

How to Sleep After Implant Surgery

Sleeping after you have undergone implant treatment can be uncomfortable. At the same time, finding the right position can be a daunting task. Sleep is necessary, especially after undergoing such treatment. Therefore, to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort, you need to sleep with your head in an elevated position.

Since your head is elevated, it reduces blood flow to the gums, reducing the bleeding. Also, swelling is reduced when your head is elevated. You can sleep in a recliner or use pillows to prop yourself up. Your head needs to be elevated at least three days after the procedure.

How to Clean Dental Implants

Cleaning your dental implants goes a long way. However, there isn’t much difference in caring for implants. Here are some care tips:

• Brush your teeth each day with a soft-bristled brush and a low abrasive toothpaste
• Don’t forget to brush around and under the implant crown
• Floss daily with implant specific floss
• Clean the hard-to-reach places with a nylon-coated interdental brush
• Use an oral irrigator, which our dentist has recommended
• Maintain routine dental cleanings with your dentist

Implants are highly effective and successful even though it seems as though cleaning them is a bit taxing. However, the prevention of oral diseases is essential. You can reach out to our dentist at Station Dental Group in Lakewood if you have any questions.