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One of the most common reasons people fear going to the dentist is the possibility of painful procedures. Pain in the mouth can often be excruciating due to its sensitive nerves and close proximity to the brain.
In most cases, most procedures are generally painless. The ones that are known to hurt are usually addressed with pain-reduction methods to facilitate easy treatment. While these procedures might be painless, the succeeding hours can be difficult once the drugs have subsided.
A great example of this would be with dental implants. While the procedure itself is relatively painless, what follows can be painful if the patient does not take the right action.
With that said, if you have just undergone dental implants, here is what you can do to minimize the pain you will experience after.
1. Use warm saline water
During the week after you receive your dental implant, remember to gargle with warm salt water at least once a day. While doing so will not directly help ease the pain you might be feeling, does is eliminate the buildup of bacteria, reducing the chances of infection.
2. Place ice packs
If your gums are developing significant swelling, there is going to be a lot of pain. To help reduce the pain and numb the area, grab an ice pack and apply it to where it hurts. If you do not have an ice pack, you can hold an ice cube with a cloth and continuously rub the affected area.
3. Adapt your diet
You might need to make changes to your diet while your gums are still sensitive and the implant fully settles into your mouth. For the time being, you want to ensure that your diet will consist of mostly soft foods like bananas, fruits, and soft bread. While eating tougher food, such as steak, might still be possible, the pain might prove to more intense than you can handle.
In terms of your beverage choices, opt for regular water while you are still recovering. Avoid sugary drinks as well as hot beverages. Sugar can encourage bacterial growth and tooth decay, while heat will irritate your gums.
4. Drink plenty of water
Because of the procedure, you might find yourself breathing through your mouth more often. This can cause your mouth to dry up quickly, and not addressing this issue can lead to other problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. For this reason, ensure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even when you don’t feel thirsty.
Conclusion
The hours following a dental implant procedure can be painful, even excruciating, but know that it will go away soon enough. After a week, the implant will have settled fully into your jaw, and the gums would have healed in the process.
To ensure a smooth recovery, remember to follow the tips we have shared with you. That way, the healing process can go by faster, and you will be able to minimize any pain that you might be feeling.
In need of dental implants done at Waterford? Dental House MI is here to help you out. With our expertise, we can safely offer you any dental procedure that you need. Get in touch with us today.
