Dental Implant Post-Operative Instructions and Why You Should Follow Them

You must be excited to see your brand-new smile after getting dental implants in Lutz, FL. Although implant surgery is relatively straightforward, its success depends largely on your commitment to post-operative care. Following surgery, you must adhere to your dentist’s strict instructions to ensure proper healing and implant integration.

Why Is It Important to Follow Dental Implant Post-Operative Instructions?

Keep the Surgical Site Clean

The surgical site is a potential entry point for harmful bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infection. Neglecting to keep the site clean allows bacteria to interfere with the healing process. Besides causing bad breath, food particles accumulating on the surgical site can irritate the wound and cause unwanted discomfort.

Cleaning the site helps eliminate bacteria buildup, prevents infection, promotes faster healing, reduces discomfort, and eliminates bad breath. Dentists typically instruct their patients to avoid brushing the surgical site for the first few days following surgery. However, you can use an alcohol-free, antimicrobial mouthwash to clean the area.

Avoid Smoking

Tobacco use can interfere with the healing process and increase the risk of complications by reducing blood flow to the surgical site. Additionally, this lifestyle habit weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight infections. It also interferes with the implant’s integration with the jawbone, leading to implant failure that requires additional surgeries. Lastly, tobacco use increases your risk of developing gum disease, which can compromise the health of your dental implant.

If you’re a smoker, it’s best to avoid smoking for at least a few days after surgery or kick the habit altogether to improve your chances of implant success.

Take Prescribed Medications

Your dentist may instruct you to take pain medications and antibiotics after your procedure. You’ll want to follow the dosage instructions carefully and complete the course of antibiotics to avoid infection and minimize discomfort.

Avoid Eating Hard and Crunchy Foods

Chewing hard and crunchy foods can cause pain and discomfort as it puts pressure on the surgical site. Your dentist will advise you to stick to a soft diet for the first few days after surgery and gradually introduce tougher foods as the site heals.

Considering Dental Implants in Lutz, FL?

At Lake Park Dental, we provide high-quality dental care services to help you achieve the smile you deserve. Contact us today to make an appointment.