Dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, due to them being able to replicate natural teeth in terms of appearance and functionality. And if you’ve just received your own dental implants, you’re probably looking forward to decades of having beautiful teeth that work optimally. That said, there are certain things you want to do, as well as things you want to avoid doing, during your recovery period to ensure that your new restoration(s) serve you well. Here’s what you need to know.
What You Should Do While Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery
Recovering from dental implant surgery isn’t an impossible task by any means; your oral surgeon will give you a list of easy-to-follow guidelines that revolve around particular oral care and dietary restrictions. Here’s what you can expect and a few things you should be sure to keep in mind, to ensure a smooth recovery:
- Get plenty of rest and try to sleep with your head elevated.
- Adhere to a soft foods/liquid diet for the early days of recovery; soups, smoothies, yogurt, protein shakes, and similar items are all great options.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene; just because dental implants replace your teeth, you aren’t off the hook when it comes to brushing and flossing!
- Take your prescribed and/or over-the-counter medications as instructed.
- Drink plenty of water; don’t take for granted the benefits of staying hydrated while your body heals up. Plus, it’s the best beverage for your oral health.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist or a family member for help; you aren’t alone during this process!
What You Shouldn’t Do While Recovering from the Procedure
However, there are also certain things you should avoid throughout the recovery period; if you aren’t careful, you might compromise your implants before they’ve even had the chance to serve you well! Here are a few things you should absolutely refrain from doing while your mouth heals up:
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco; these habits are bad enough when you aren’t recovering from surgery, but they affect your body’s healing factor and also lead to oral infections.
- Similarly, avoid drinking alcohol since it’ll prolong your recovery, not to mention it can also have unfavorable interactions with certain medications.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity or exercise, as the increased blood flow might lead to further bleeding and swelling.
- Don’t consume hot or spicy foods, even if it takes a great amount of willpower; also avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that might harm your implant sites.
- Don’t ignore any problems or issues with your implants while you’re recovering—this is the most crucial part of the dental implant process, and the sooner any potential issues are resolved, the better.
If you’re careful during the recovery period and avoid unfavorable habits, you can ensure that your dental implants serve you well—perhaps even for life!
About the Practice
At Elite Oral Surgery Associates, we’re proud to offer a wide range of restorative dental services including dental implants to patients in the Worcester area. If you have any questions about dental implants or what to expect during the recovery period, don’t hesitate to give us a call today or visit us online for further information or assistance.
