Aftercare for dental implants; a rough guide

Recently had oral implants fitted? Need some guidance on managing them at home?

dental-implants-harley-street

At Harley Street Dental, we have overseen the fitting of hundreds of dental implants Harley Street and can help you navigate every stage of the oral implant fitting process with ease.

Here, we offer some pointers on the aftercare surrounding dental implants Harley Street.

Eating

For the first few days after you have had your dental implants Harley Street fitted, you will want to avoid spicy food, salty food or hard foods.

And so, it may be wise to invest in softer, healthier foods such as boiled vegetables and soups.

Try to stay hydrated too, as this will speed up the healing process.

Pain relief

While we cannot state how uncomfortable having oral implants fitted will be, we have often heard it compared to a dental extraction by patients.

And as such, you will want to invest in some over-the-counter pain relief if you have concerns about discomfort. We recommend using paracetamol, but avoid others such as aspirin and ibuprofen; the area is going to be bruised and sore, and these medications can cause the blood to thin and the bruising to worsen.

If you are concerned about the level of discomfort you are experiencing, then call our team for advice.

Cleaning

As odd as it may sound, after you have had oral implants fitted, you should refrain from brushing the implant site with a brush.

This is due to gum inflammation; brushing can irritate and may even promote movement of the implant, which we will need to avoid for the first few weeks as it fuses.

Instead, opt for using salt water to keep the site clean. Simply wash the site with the solution to keep it free from food and debris until our team advises you to go back to using a toothbrush.

It is also worth avoiding mouthwashes, as these can be rather astringent and cause further swelling to an already sensitive area.

Check-ups

As always, after you have had surgery or any other procedure, there will be check-ups. And even if you feel that it isn’t worth your while to attend them, we must recommend that you do.

Follow up appointments allow us to assess if the implants are settling correctly, spot signs of infection, rejection and of course, allow us to answer any questions that you may have about the process overall.

If you do not attend these check-ups, we will have no way of knowing if your implants are fusing correctly, and you may end up losing them altogether.

Infections and other complications

It is exceedingly unlikely that you will develop an infection from having oral implants fitted,

but there are some signs to keep an eye out for relating to this. If the area is swelling, becoming blue or red, if it is becoming more uncomfortable and if you feel unwell, flushed or are being sick, then you need to book an emergency appointment with our team. There is also a risk that the implant may be loose or may fall out; this will be evident when you brush your tongue against it. If it moves or you feel an unusual sensation, then once again, call our team for a check-up.