After your procedure, proper at-home care is essential for smooth recovery and long-term success. Treating your implants with the right products and following post-op instructions will promote a smooth recovery.
Here are our top recommendations for post-implant care.
Soft Bristle Toothbrush
Avoid brushing your teeth for the first 24 hours following surgery. After the 24-hour period, begin brushing gently with a soft bristle toothbrush.
Important: Avoid brushing directly over the surgical site directly, as this can cause bleeding and discomfort.
We recommend soft-bristle brushes from brands like Oral-B, Colgate, Tom’s of Maine, etc. For toothpaste, choose gentle and low-abrasive formulas, we suggest using Crest.
Important: Toothpastes with charcoal and baking soda, or other abrasive ingredients can damage the implant.
Water Flossers
Use a water flosser twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. Water Flossers are highly effective at removing plaque in hard-to-reach areas.
Popular brands of water flossers include Waterpik, Aquasonic, Phillips Sonicare, etc.
Antibacterial Mouth Rinse
To maintain oral hygiene and keep your breath fresh during recovery, use a non-alcohol-based antibacterial mouthwash.
Be sure thoroughly rinse under your prosthesis to reduce buildup.
Brands where you can find non-alcohol-based mouthwash include Crest, ACT Total Care, and TheraBreath.
Important: Avoid any alcohol-based rinses that can interfere with the healing process.
Pain Management
During your surgery, you will receive a steroid via IV to reduce pain and swelling. For ongoing pain relief, we prescribe Hydrocodone taken every 8 hours accompanied by any over-the-counter brand of Ibuprofen.
Depending on your healing process, Hydrocodone is usually only needed for 3 days.
After 3 days, patients can substitute Hydrocodone with Tylenol and alternate between Tylenol and Ibuprofen.
Important: While taking Hydrocodone, do not take Tylenol at all costs. Hydrocodone already contains acetaminophen. The max daily dosage a patient can take is 4,000 mg of Tylenol.
In some cases, Medrol dose packs may also be prescribed for post-operative care.
Follow-Up Care
These products alone are not enough in the recovery process of your dental implant journey. Be sure to attend your 6-month follow-up to ensure your implants are healthy and properly cleaned.
By staying on top of your care and treating your implants like real teeth, you can successfully recover. Above all, your smile will last you for years to come.
The post Our Top Recommendations for Post-Implant Care appeared first on Texas Implant & Dental Center of Amarillo.
