Dental implants rely on adequate amounts of healthy bone to serve as their foundation. Without this bone, your dental implants will end up loosening and may eventually fail. As a result, if you lack a sufficient amount of bone where your implant needs to be placed, then your dentist may suggest an autograft procedure. An autograft involves taking bone from other parts of your body and placing it on the site where your dental implants will be installed. The bone growth and healing process will last for months after your surgery. In order to improve your healing time after surgery, there are a few tips that you should consider.

Follow Your Meals with an Antibacterial Rinse

Since an autograft procedure takes an extended period of time to heal, it is important to maintain a solid oral care routine during this time. Poor dental health can result in a bacterial infection immediately after surgery or even a few months later. In order to prevent this, use an antibacterial rinse to clean your mouth immediately after meals. The rinse will help to remove bacteria and other debris that you may miss with a toothbrush. A simple rinse can be created from home using cloves. Place a handful of cloves in a small pot and fill it with water. Allow the pot to boil, then add a few drops of lemon juice. Wait for the rinse to cool, then use it to clean all along your gum line.

Avoid Stressing the Surgical Site

One of the quickest ways to compromise your autograft procedure is by stressing the surgical site. Adding additional layers of stress to the site can not only result in infection, but it can extend the healing time. Therefore, it is important to avoid foods that are difficult to chew. Sticky candies and tough meats are good examples of foods that you should remove from your diet during this time. In addition, if you suffer from tooth grinding, then it is important to schedule a visit with your dentist. Tooth grinding creates an extreme amount of force between your teeth. This often results in chipped and cracked teeth. Grinding your teeth against the surgical site may cause the wound to open up before it fully heals.

A successful autograft procedure can help to create a solid base for your dental implant to adhere to. Therefore, use these tips to help improve your healing time after the surgery is complete. Click for more information.