How Do I Care for My Dental Implants?


Getting dental implants is the first step, but implant aftercare is just as important. To avoid unnecessary discomfort, pain, and complications, you must take special care of your new smile.

The text below will explore dental implant aftercare, including the day of your surgery and the weeks that follow.

Begin Aftercare Immediately

As soon as the surgery ends, your dental implant aftercare begins. Start by resting on the way home. Have someone drive you home because the effects of anesthesia will not have worn off.

Most implant recovery symptoms are not a big concern. Just adhere to your dental implant post-surgery instructions right away and continue for the next several days.

Control Bleeding

Pink or red saliva or bleeding at the implant site may continue up to three days after receiving your implants. Bite down on gauze for an hour is the best way to control it. Repeat every six to 10 hours as necessary.

If your bleeding is excessive, bite down on a black tea bag, as the tannic acid will constrict the blood vessels and promote blood clotting.

Also, remain calm if possible. Sit upright and refrain from any activity. Don’t lift heavy objects or bend over. Spitting forcefully, smoking, or sucking on a straw will encourage excess bleeding.

Manage Pain

Don’t take many over-the-counter pain medications. These have blood thinners that can interfere with the osseointegration process. The best OTC to take is Tylenol.

Take it before the anesthesia wears off to get ahead of the pain. Follow instructions concerning the packaging. We’ll give you insight into what products and dosages you might take. Don’t take anything more than every six hours.

After four days, you should feel more like normal. You may experience some stiffness in the throat and have difficulty swallowing. If symptoms persist, give us a call.

Minimize Bruising and Swelling

Bruising and swelling on the gums and appearing on your face will happen on the day of surgery. You may also experience bruising around the eyes and nose. These discolorations peak after two or three days, then disappear on their own.

Ice packs help. Apply them for 15 to 20 minutes, take a break, and repeat this process for 48 hours after your procedure. You can also avoid salt, sleep with your head upright, and drink plenty of water.

Get Plenty of Rest

Sleep helps the healing process. So, it makes sense to get plenty of rest, especially during the first few days. This will allow your body to relax and let a big part of the healing process take place.

Learn More

If you would like more information about dental implant after-surgery care, contact us at Hill Country Oral Surgery.

Call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation today to learn more.

 

Best Treatments for Sensitive Teeth


Does the idea of eating ice cream or having a cold drink make you wince? If so, you may be dealing with a common dental issue — sensitive teeth.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, roughly 40 million people in the United States face tooth sensitivity daily. This painful zinging is hard to ignore, especially when it happens continually.

Fortunately, you can address sensitive teeth with multiple strategies, without needing to avoid cold and hot foods for the rest of your life.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

A critical substance called enamel protects your teeth. Sensitive teeth develop when that enamel erodes, revealing its underlying layers: cementum and dentin.

The dentin layer contains microscopic canals and tubes loaded with nerve endings. Healthy teeth have enough enamel to shield the dentin layer and protect tooth sensitivity.

When enamel wears down or our gums recede, it exposes the cementum and dentin layers. This problem makes cold and hot foods and drinks aggravate cells and nerves to cause painful sensations and sensitivity.

Sensitive teeth develop from these factors:

  • Cracked teeth
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth grinding (bruxism)
  • Tooth decay
  • Enamel erosion from sugary and acidic foods
  • Harsh or forceful brushing

Regular dental visits and oral hygiene are essential to keep teeth from becoming sensitive. If you’re suffering from tooth sensitivity, here are some additional things you can do to help resolve the issue.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

For minor tooth sensitivity, desensitizing toothpaste is a practical solution. These kinds of toothpaste contain active agents like strontium salts, fluoride, and potassium.

Potassium decreases fluid flow through tubules in the dentin. Clogging the tubules decreases dental nerve activity. When used twice daily for consecutive months, desensitizing toothpaste will reduce the number of sensory signals reaching the brain.

When shopping for desensitizing toothpaste, choose one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which ensures the product meets its criteria for safety and effectiveness.

Fluoride

If desensitizing toothpaste does not address your sensitive teeth, you may require professional fluoride treatments. This procedure involves applying a potent fluoride gel to your teeth to restore damaged enamel and protect against future decay.

In-office treatments supplement the fluoride already in your toothpaste. You also may need custom trays and prescription fluoride for home treatment.

White Fillings or Crowns

If tooth sensitivity results from a decaying or cracked tooth, a crown or filling may be the best solution. Tooth damage exposes a nerve. A crown or white filling can recover the roots and restore your damaged tooth back to health quickly.

Root Canal

When the root canal experiences decay or injury, the nerves may cause pain or sensitivity. Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp. The process is typically painless thanks to anesthesia. It resolves exposed nerves in the root canal, eliminates sensitivity, and saves the tooth.

Get Help With Your Sensitive Teeth

Don’t suffer the discomfort or pain of sensitive teeth. The team at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin is here to provide exceptional dental care for your comfort and appearance.

Call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation.

Uncommon Causes of Jaw Pain

As many of our patients can attest to, there is little that causes more discomfort that jaw pain. There are many causes for jaw pain, ranging from trauma to a heart attack. The problems associated with the teeth and jaw structure can often be treated by an oral surgeon or dentist, giving you quick relief.

The purpose of this article is to help you understand when dental conditions may contribute to jaw pain, give you suggestions that may help you to treat your discomfort at home, and help you determine when you should call us to seek treatment.

Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)

TMD is the most common cause of jaw discomfort, affecting nearly ten million Americans. TMD is also known as TMJ. The temporomandibular joints are hinge joints that are on each side of your jaw.

Several factors can cause TMD jaw pain. These can happen by themselves or concurrently with other causes. Factors include:

  • Injury to the joint of the jaw
  • Muscular soreness from excessive movement or chewing something hard
  • A displaced disc that provides a cushion
  • Damage from trauma to the jaw joint or jaw muscles
  • Grinding your teeth
  • Clenching your jaw during times of anxiety or stress
  • Cavities
  • Growth of wisdom teeth
  • An abscessed tooth
  • Gum disease or tooth decay
  • Misaligned or missing teeth

If dental problems are to blame, you will likely have other symptoms, such as:

  • Lingering tooth pain
  • Tooth pain that comes and goes
  • Painful, bleeding gums
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Bad breath or dry mouth
  • Sores inside your mouth
  • Pain when swallowing or chewing

Fever and facial swelling, along with acute tooth pain, may indicate an abscess. Call your oral surgeon right away for these symptoms, especially if swallowing and breathing become difficult.

For Immediate Relief

Apply an ice pack on the painful area for ten minutes, having a thin cloth between your skin and the cold compress. Repeat the process with ten-minute intervals. Another option is moist heat. Apply a warm wet rag on the jaw area to relax any overactive jaw muscles to relieve pain. A microwave can reheat a moist cloth in seconds, and many of our patients find this relieves their discomfort.

Until you can see a dentist or oral surgeon, over-the-counter pain relievers work fine. You can use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce discomfort.

Finding Out What’s Wrong

Because most jaw pain results from dental issues, a jaw abnormality, or jaw trauma, it’s best to check with a qualified oral surgeon to find out what is the cause. They are trained to address such issues while delivering effective results and relieving any discomfort instantly. Hill County Oral Surgery provides superior health care for the Austin area and communities nearby.

Call 512-327-7233 or schedule your consultation with our maxillofacial specialists in Austin, Tx today!