Dental implants are the best way to permanently replace your missing teeth in Dacula. But whether you’ve already scheduled your implant surgery at Auburn Hills Family Dentistry or you’re just curious about what to expect from the process, you may be wondering what it’s like to heal and recover after your surgery. So read on, and get answers to a few top FAQs about the implant healing and recovery process.
Will My Dental Implant Bleed After My Surgery?
Yes. Dr. Haycock will place a gauze pack over your implant site, and you’ll bite down on it to apply pressure to the area. This will cause the bleeding to slow and stop as blood clots form. This will usually only take an hour or two.
After this, you may experience intermittent bleeding for 24 hours, and pink-tinged saliva for 2-3 days. However, there should be no significant bleeding after this time. If your implant is bleeding a lot after a few days, you need to see Dr. Haycock for a follow-up.
Will I Be In Pain While I Heal?
Immediately after your surgery, you won’t be in pain. But as your sedation and numbing wear off, you will begin to experience some discomfort. The implant site may also swell, bruise, and become inflamed.
These symptoms usually peak and then taper off within 2-3 days. Dr. Haycock will provide you with instructions on how to help with pain, such as taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and icing your cheek near the implant site.
Do I Have To Change My Diet?
Yes. You need to eat soft foods like smoothies and pudding for a few days. After about 3 days, you can start to eat some firmer foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and pasta.
A week or so after your surgery, you can usually resume eating most of your favorite foods, but you should chew on the opposite side of your mouth. You should continue to avoid hard, sharp, and tough foods for at least 2 weeks after your surgery.
What Other Lifestyle Changes Will I Have To Make?
If you smoke, you will need to quit smoking for at least 2-3 months. Smoking during the healing process slows healing and dramatically raises the risk of oral infections and other complications. This is a great opportunity to quit permanently.
You also should avoid exercising heavily for a few days after your surgery. This could worsen pain and cause bleeding, since exercise increases blood flow throughout your body.
We also recommend avoiding the use of straws, and you should avoid spitting forcefully. The suction and pressure of using a straw or spitting could dislodge the blood clots around your implant, impairing proper healing and recovery.
How Do I Care For My Teeth And My Implant?
You can continue brushing your teeth normally. Do not brush the implant site for at least 3-4 days. Instead, use a salt water rinse or prescription mouth rinse to clean it. After about 3-4 days, you start gently brushing the implant site if it’s not too painful or tender.
Interested In Dental Implants In Dacula? Contact Auburn Hills Family Dentistry Today!
At Auburn Hills Family Dentistry, Dr. Haycock is an experienced implant dentist. If you’re missing one or more teeth and you’d like to explore your options for permanent tooth replacement in Dacula, we’re here to help. Contact us online or call today at (678) 804-8818 to get the help you need.
