One of the things that worries some people about getting dental implants is the recovery period; they are concerned they will experience discomfort. However, by following some informed dental implant recovery tips, you can significantly improve your post-treatment experience.
Dental Implant Recovery Tips
After dental implant surgery, many patients feel sore and tender. The dental implant recovery period is typically around two weeks, but there are lots of things you can do to encourage healing and make yourself more comfortable.
Reduce Swelling With a Cold Compress
After getting dental implants, you will probably experience some swelling of the gums and jaw around the implant site. This is completely normal and usually lasts 3-7 days. Swelling can be uncomfortable, but fortunately, it can often be eased by applying a cold compress, such as an ice pack, to the cheek or jaw near the swelling.
As well as bringing down the swelling, an ice pack can reduce discomfort by numbing the area. However, ice packs should not be applied directly to the skin as this can lead to ice burns. Instead, wrap it up in a towel and use it for 10 minutes at a time with 20-minute breaks.
Keep the Area Clean
With your mouth feeling tender and swollen, the last thing you probably want to do is brush your teeth; however, it’s crucial that you maintain food oral hygiene during your dental implant recovery period to ensure the implant site doesn’t get infected. While you must avoid brushing in the area of the implant for several days, you should brush your other teeth normally, though it’s wise to avoid the use of water jet flossers.
Dental implants should be left alone for the first 24 hours, but then you can use warm salt water rinses to make sure your mouth and the implant are clean. Rinse after every meal, and in the morning after waking and before bed at night.
Choose Your Food and Drink Wisely
When it comes to dental implant recovery, what you eat and do not eat becomes incredibly important. The following should be avoided:
- Chewy and hard foods: these will be difficult to eat and are likely to cause you discomfort while your mouth is sore and tender.
- Crunchy foods: the crumbs created when you eat crunchy food can easily get into the area of dental implants, causing irritation, particularly as it’s difficult to clean the site well before you have completely healed. For the same reason, you should steer clear of small foods such as seeds and dry grains.
- Hot food and drinks: after having dental implants fitted, it is normal to experience some minor bleeding; however, consuming hot food and drink can disrupt blood clotting, leading you to bleed more. It is also easy to burn yourself if your anesthetic hasn’t fully worn off. Stick to lukewarm and cool foods for the first 24 hours. Cold foods such as ice cream can relieve some discomfort and swelling, similar to cold compresses.
- Spicy and acidic food and drinks: these can irritate the area after dental implant surgery and should be avoided.
- Alcoholic drinks: alcohol can dry the mouth, slowing the healing process. Alcohol can also interact with medications such as painkillers and antibiotics. Always check with your dentist before drinking while on medication.
During your dental implant recovery, opt for soft, nutritious foods that are easy to eat and provide you with lots of energy to help the healing process. Some good options include scrambled eggs, soup, smoothies, mashed avocado, and porridge.
Get Lots of Rest
After any medical procedure, your body needs time to rest and recover. Though dental implant surgery is relatively minor, giving yourself a quiet few days after the treatment will help. It’s also advisable to avoid vigorous exercise for the first week or so as this can cause throbbing in the area and occasionally lead to bleeding. Sleep with your head slightly elevated on one or two firm pillows to prevent excessive swelling.
Use Painkillers as Needed
Some people find they need a little help to manage their discomfort after getting dental implants. Your dentist may prescribe painkillers to help your dental implant recovery, but over-the-counter medication is usually sufficient if they don’t.
Always make sure to read the instructions on all medication and don’t take more than the recommended daily dose; if you are still struggling with discomfort, contact your dentist because you may have an infection.
Avoid Smoking
It’s widely known that smoking is detrimental to your health, but did you know it can slow your dental implant recovery? The chemicals in nicotine impede healing and adversely impact osseointegration, the process where the jaw bone fuses with the dental implant. If osseointegration does not occur, dental implants fail.
Getting your implant could be just the motivation you need to stop smoking once and for all. Quitting before your surgery will significantly increase your chances of a successful implant and speed up your recovery. Reach out to your doctor for advice and support about quitting.
Follow Your Dentist’s Directions
While these dental implant recovery tips can help you recover quickly, the most important thing you can do after getting dental implants is to follow the instructions your dentist gives you to the letter and attend all your follow up appointments.
If you haven’t seen significant improvement after two weeks, contact your dentist as you may have an infection.
Choose No Gaps Dental For Your Dental Implants
For many people, the thought of getting dental implants can be upsetting. At No Gaps Dental, we understand that visiting the dentist can cause anxiety, and we work hard to ensure our patients are comfortable and well informed about their treatment. We also offer sedation dentistry, which can benefit sufferers of dental anxiety.
Our skilled dentists are highly experienced at performing dental implant surgery and are always willing to share their dental implant recovery tips with our patients.
To book an initial consultation, contact us at (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.