To speed up your recovery from dental implant surgery, you’ll need to avoid particular foods and drinks, as well as certain activities. Follow advice given to you by your oral surgeon which will include ways to minimise swelling and what medication to use. Keep any disturbances to your wound to a minimum, to let it heal as fast as possible.
What to expect after surgery
Unfortunately, dental surgery can come with some level of discomfort in the days that follow. You can expect minor bruising, as well as swelling of the gums and face. Recovery time is different for each patient. Assuming there are no complications, a few days could be all it takes. If you’re unlucky and do have difficulties, such as a requiring a bone graft – used when the jawbone is not strong enough to hold the implant, recovery could take a little longer.
Either way, it should be worth it, with 98 per cent of dental implant procedures being successful, according to Web MD. With proper hygiene and care, many patients find they last for a significant number of years, maybe even a lifetime.
How to recover as quickly as possible
1. Stick to soft foods
By sticking to soft foods, you avoid jaw movement caused by chewing. Any kind of motion could irritate the wound and delay the healing process.
2. Avoid hot foods and drinks
Your gums are likely to be super sensitive straight after the procedure. Avoid anything too hot so as not to cause any undue pain.
3. Don’t use a straw
Perhaps surprisingly, a straw is the last thing you should be using if you have an oral wound. The suction could disrupt the wound and slow down recovery.
4. Hydrate and cut alcohol and caffeine
It is important to keep hydrated after surgery, as it is with many forms of illness or health issues. This means that alcohol and caffeine are definitely on the ‘avoid’ list.
Smoking can slow the healing process by depriving your body of the oxygen it needs to recover quickly.
5. Quit smoking
Smoking can slow the healing process by depriving your body of the oxygen it needs to recover quickly. Aside assisting a speedy recovery, there are plenty of reasons why quitting smoking is a good idea anyway.
6. Limit strenuous activities
Skip the exercise routine and rest. Relaxing at home gives your implant chance to heal without risk of being knocked or dislodged. In the first few hours post surgery, strenuous activity also includes talking – your jawbone won’t thank you for being a chatter box.
7. Keep the swelling down with ice packs
If you can keep the swelling and bruising down to a minimum, you’ll look and feel brighter. If you don’t have an ice pack, ice cubes or frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel will do the trick too.
8. Take the pain medication you are given
You’ll likely be prescribed some form of pain medication by your surgeon – follow instructions to keep the pain down as much as possible.
9. Salt water rinses
Be gentle on the first day after surgery, but once you hit day two, use a salty mouthwash regularly to keep bacteria away.
10. Practise good dental hygiene
Keep the wound clean by brushing the teeth around the implant so that food particles can’t get stuck and risk infection.
After any form of dental surgery it’s important to follow the instructions given to you by your oral surgeon, as they will provide advice specific to your procedure.
For further information about your suitability for dental implants and what you can expect, call City Dentists on 04 978 4964 or book an appointment online.