Teeth play important roles in your life, the main ones being chewing and aesthetics. From time to time, your teeth will likely get issues and require medical attention. They could decay, get cavities, and become sensitive. Thanks to medicine, there are solutions to most, if not all, dental issues. One solution you can seek is dental implants, which deal with gaps in your teeth due to tooth removal.
Dental implants involve the insertion of titanium in the hole in your tooth, after which the dentist will place a crown over it. However, for this procedure to be successful, you must take precautions. What are these precautions? Keep on reading to learn more.
Things To Do Before Having Dental Implants
Just like any medical procedure, you need to make preparations prior to a dental implant appointment with your oral health professional. Here’s what to do before the procedure:
Refrain From Medication
Before the dental implant surgery, it’s advisable to stop taking any medication that you have. There’s a possibility the medication will interfere with the process, especially when healing. One of the medicines to stay clear of is any blood thinner. It’ll make it difficult for blood to clot and stop bleeding during and after the procedure.
It’s best to let your dentist know about your medications to be safe. The dentist is better placed to advise you on those you should avoid. If avoiding some is an issue, they can give you alternatives, at least until the procedure to ensure it’s a success. Alternatively, visit the website of reliable dentists in your area to get more insight into this.
Don’t Eat
Although medical practitioners recommend eating, you want to be wary of what and when to eat before the dental implant procedure.
Dentists advise that you shouldn’t have any meals approximately eight to twelve hours before the procedure. The main reason is to prevent nausea during the procedure, which can induce vomiting. What are the effects?
For the procedure, you’ll likely be under anesthesia; suppose your stomach is full, and you vomit, and it ends up in your lungs. Your body won’t manage to remove the vomit from the lungs due to the anesthesia. When you’re awake, coughing tends to remove items that wrongly get into your airway. With the vomit in your lungs, doctors will find it challenging to remove the foreign substances, putting you in the hospital much longer.
Therefore, to avoid such incidences and quicken your recovery, don’t eat heavily before the surgery; this includes too much water.
Things To Do After Getting Your Dental Implants
Once the dental implant device installation is done and has been deemed a success by your attending dentist, here’s what to do next while you’re trying to recover:
Eat The Right Types Of Food
After the procedure, your dental formula is delicate, especially around the areas with the implants. Therefore, it’s best to refrain from hard foods, especially during the first days of recovery.
Instead, stock up on tender foods, preferably smoothies, juices, and soups. Ensure these foods are filled with nutrients to aid in healing. As you eat your tender foods, ensure they aren’t too hot or cold; you might experience sensitivity that can increase your pain. They also shouldn’t be spicy, salty, or acidic.
As time goes by, you can slowly adjust to hard foods; your dentist can advise you accordingly.
Stock Up Your After-Care Package Supplies
Once the dentist completes the procedure, it’s up to you to ensure its success. You’ll do this by taking care of yourself as you recover. It’s best to stock up on a care package. Yet what will you need?
One, gauze is essential; you can find it in your first aid kit or visit your local pharmacy for one. You’ll bite down on the gauze to control any bleeding you might have. Be sure to change the gauze once it’s soaked up. It’s advisable to be wary of hygiene as you do this to prevent infections; ensure your hands are clean.
Two, the package should also have an ice pack. If you don’t have one, a bag of frozen vegetables will come in handy. You’ll place the ice pack above the area with the implant, but over your skin, to help with the pain. It’ll also act as a remedy if there’s any swelling.
Lastly, painkillers are a must-have since you’ll experience pain after the procedure. The pain can extend for one week in extreme cases. Nonetheless, it’ll become manageable as time passes; painkillers will assist you with the management. It’s good to point out that not all painkillers will do the job without affecting you. Therefore, get a prescription for the painkillers to buy from the dentist.
As you intake these pills, you might be tempted to ingest more than necessary if the pain is too much. Health experts advise that you take the painkillers responsibly at six-hour intervals to achieve the pain-fighting intended effects of the medication.
Conclusion
Adequate preparation and proper maintenance before and after dental implants are both crucial. Failure to, the procedure might fail, taking you back to square one or in a worse position. The discussion provides a guide to help you care for your dental implants accordingly. Be sure to implement it to the letter; consult your dentist if you have any concerns.
