Dental implantation is a surgical procedure that involves an invasive technique to secure your implant device. For this reason, bleeding is something that both you and your dentist must be concerned about. Extensive bleeding can lead to healing issues, and it can cause anemia and dehydration. So, you want to learn about ways that you can help control bleeding during the implant process.
Stop Taking Medications That Cause Bleeding
Your dental professional will work with you to identify any medication that you take that may contribute to bleeding. For example, you will be asked to stop taking medications like warfarin, heparin, or rivaroxaban, which are all anticoagulant medicines. You should do this for about two weeks leading up to your operation. Since anticoagulant medications can also cause gum bleeding and gingivitis issues, your dentist should inspect the tissues closely for any signs of infection or sensitivity before your implant procedure.
In addition to anticoagulants, you may be asked to stop taking NSAID medications as these can also increase your bleeding risks. Since bleeding after surgery is a concern, you also want to speak with your dental professional about the types of pain relievers that can and cannot be used as you heal.
There are some other substances that can cause bleeding that should be discontinued in the days proceeding your implant operation. These include ginseng, St. John's wort, vitamin E, cumin, garlic, ginkgo biloba, and tumeric.
Position Yourself Correctly
You will likely be quite drowsy after your implant operation and it is best to rest whenever you can afterwards. However, you need to understand how to position yourself to reduce potential bleeding issues. You should lie flat on your back with your head elevated about your chest to minimize the pooling of blood in your head. This eliminates pressure from the implant area and it allows for fluid to move away from the mouth. So, use a pillow or two to prop your head up.
Make sure that your head is kept straight and do not lean it towards the implant area. This will cause a blood pooling issue as well.
Also, you want to make sure that you do not raise your blood pressure, so minimize your activity for at least a few days and keep your salt intake down. The clots that develop within your gums are quite sensitive and can dislodge due to blood pressure changes. This also means that you should not bend down either.
Your implant professional can let you know about more tricks and tips to reduce bleeding concerns during the dental implant process.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!