Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
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5 Little Ways You Could Be Harming Your Bone Graft
Eleanor Crawford
If you had to get a bone graft before getting a dental implant, and the graft doesn't seem to be doing too well, check to ensure you're not accidentally causing the problem yourself. Bone grafts are very sensitive right after surgery (of course), and what seems like a little thing to you can be a big problem for the graft. Take a look at this list of things you might have done; if you recognize any of them, change your behavior immediately.
Pulling on Your Lip
Curiosity is normal, and looking at the surgery site is something a lot of people do. However, if you have to pull on your lip to see the stitches—bone graft incisions aren't always right on top of the jaw—you could be pulling the stitches away from the tissue, or pulling apart the incision site. Let the site sit undisturbed. If you're constantly pulling on the tissue, it won't heal quickly.
Rinsing Too Well
You'll have to rinse with warm salt water and possibly a mouthwash as part of your recovery. Don't rinse aggressively, though. If you're used to seriously swishing that mouthwash around your mouth, you could be aggravating the incision site, making it harder for a clot to form. Rinse gently.
Not Taking Antibiotics as Directed
If you're given an antibiotic prescription, follow instructions exactly. If your dentist wants you to take them as a preventative measure, take the whole prescription even if you feel fine. If you stop early, you could contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Drinking With a Straw
The suction you create in your mouth with a straw can dislodge stitches. Don't use a straw even with the goo dintention of not letting food or drink touch the surgery site..
Not Drinking at All
On the flip side, that doesn't mean you should stop drinking water. Yes, you want to be careful about what touches the incision site, but you don't want to dehydrate yourself over the days after your surgery. That not only feels awful but can make your stitch site become overly dry and more vulnerable to bacteria. Slowly and carefully sip plain water throughout the day.
If you're still having a problem, or you have pain, click here for info on what to do next. Your dentist can help get your recovery back on track so that you can get your implants taken care of.
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