Tips for Managing Dental Bone Graft Pain
July 12, 2023
Occasionally dentists perform surgery of bone grafting as the initial step of treatment modality to install dental implants. They may also recommend surgery to replace bone loss from periodontal disease. However, if you are getting dental implants to replace missing teeth, you may need bone grafting if you lack the bone density essential to support dental implants.
Recovering after Bone Grafting Surgery
Bone grafting procedures are unsuitable for everyone, including dental implants. However, if you are considering dental implants and lack adequate bone density, the dentist in Salem evaluates your situation before recommending the procedure and confirming you are healthy enough to endure the surgical procedure without complications. They will also assess your immune system to ensure it is vital.
The dentist will suggest caring for yourself after the surgery to minimize the risks of complications after the process. Mentioned below are some simple tips to handle during your recovery.
- Managing the Bleeding: Some oozing and bleeding are expected after getting bone grafts in Salem, MA. You can minimize the bleeding by keeping the gauze pad the dentist places over the surgical site for at least half an hour after the process. If the bleeding does not subside after removing the gauze, keep your head elevated when lying down and bite on more pieces of gauze for about 45 minutes without moving it or easing pressure. Repeat the process multiple times if required. It helps if you remember the bleeding may continue for a couple of days following a dental bone graft.
- Soreness and Swelling Alleviation: during the Initial 48 to 96 hours following bone grafting surgery, expect swelling and soreness around your jaw. You can use ice packs to manipulate the node during the first 24 to 36 hours after the process. After that, you can apply the icepack intermittently at 15-minute intervals on and off. After 36 hours, a moist heat pad is beneficial for managing swelling. The swelling needs about ten days to subside after a dental bone graft.
- Maintain Excellent Dental Hygiene: dental hygiene does not mean brushing and flossing alone because brushing and flossing your teeth for at least 24 hours after a bone graft is challenging. However, after a day has passed, you can use a saltwater rinse to clean your mouth with water repeating the process four or six times during the day, especially between meals.
- Medications: the Salem dentist will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to prevent infection, which can occur up to 10 days after the bone graft. Occasionally they also prescribe anti-inflammatories for the swelling. As a recovering patient, you must take all medications precisely as directed by the professional, ensuring that you take them after meals to avoid nausea if taken on an empty stomach.
- Diet: during your recovery, you must avoid hot and harrowing foods sticking instead to lukewarm foods and cold drinks. You can incorporate your regular diet 24 hours after the surgical procedure. However, three weeks after bone grafting, you must avoid acidic drinks like citrus juice, soda, et cetera, toothpaste, over-the-counter mouthwash brands and chewing around the surgical site.
- Rest: after getting a dental bone graft, the dentist advises rest by avoiding strenuous activity that might dislodge the sutures in the surgical site for a week after the bone grafting process. You must also aim to get at least eight hours of sleep daily during your recovery to help your body recover best when it sleeps.
After augmenting your jawbone to ensure you can get bone graft teeth, the above steps will help you recover quickly and prepare for getting the dental implants you desperately desire to replace your missing teeth. However, managing your dental bone graft recovery by ignoring the suggested tips will delay getting the implants and make you endure the loss of teeth for more time than you imagine. Dental implants also require sufficient recovery time extending up to three to six months. Therefore if you don’t want to remain without teeth in your mouth after undergoing a dental bone graft, you must pay attention to the suggested tips for managing the discomfort from bone grafts and recovering quickly to get your much-wanted dental implants and artificial teeth.
If the lack of adequate jawbone prevents you from getting implants, Mass Bay Dental can help you overcome the situation by performing a dental bone graft. Please request an appointment with them for a consultation and additional recovery steps with their dentist performing the bone graft.