Getting dental implants is an exciting dental experience that can lead you to a happier, healthier smile. While the dental implant procedure is relatively non-invasive on its own, it's something you want to prepare for you so you get the best results and have ideal healing afterward.

Here are ways you can tell if you're ready for your dental implant procedure, or if you need to do a few things before getting your dental implants put in. Are you ready for your dental implants? Use this guide to assist you.

You have soft foods at home

When you get your dental implants put in, you'll be on a soft food diet for a few weeks. This means you can't eat foods that require chewing and you can't suck items through a straw, or else you can cause damage to the gums and surrounding tissue that were affected in the dental implant procedure.

Stock up on softer foods that don't require any or very little chewing but are still nutritious such as yogurt, protein shakes, soup — blended or pureed is best — pudding, and even baby food in jars. Your dental implant specialist will let you know when you can go back to solid foods again.

You have a saline rinse for keeping your mouth clean

To help prevent injury to your gums surrounding the site where your dental implants were put in and to keep your mouth clean, you'll want to do a saltwater or saline rinse every few hours or as instructed by your dentist following the procedure. If you don't have a saline rinse at the ready, ask your dentist for a rinse — including a rinsing tool that can help you keep crevices clean — or invest in salt so you can make a mixture at home.

Making a salt rinse is easy: simply take half a teaspoon of salt and add it to a cup of warm water, mix, and swish. Do this as often as your dentist recommends.

You have taken time off work to heal

It takes many months to fully heal after you have your dental implants put in. For the first several days following the procedure, your jaw may be especially sore and bruised, so it's wise to take a few days off work or school to heal up so your dental implant procedure can be most successful. Healing times will vary depending on how extensive your dental implant procedure is and how well you take care of yourself after the procedure is done.

For more information about dental implant procedures, talk to your dentist.