Dental implants are held as the golden standard of tooth restoration because they function like real teeth while mimicking their color, luster, and function. Just as they are an excellent restoration, they require excellent care in order to heal properly and stay healthy and functional in the long run. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when caring for your new dental implants.
What Should I Do While My Dental Implants Are Healing?
There are a few good habits to stick with while recovering from dental implant surgery. Some of these include:
Follow your dentist’s instructions
After your surgery, your dentist will provide you with some instructions to help you heal as quickly as possible. These may include practicing a special oral hygiene regimen when your mouth is too sensitive for typical hygiene practices. This might be something like brushing the other teeth normally while avoiding the surgical sites.
Ask someone you trust for help
Having a friend or family member around can be a big help the day after surgery. They can prepare soft foods for your meals and make sure you take your medicine as prescribed.
Rest up
You’ll need to get plenty of rest the day after treatment. Be sure to lie on your back and use pillows or cushions to support your head to ensure proper circulation. This will prevent swelling and bleeding in the mouth or face.
Eat right
The body needs protein and carbohydrates to heal properly, but recovering from oral surgery can make it hard to chew certain things. Be prepared to make soft foods such as soups, mashed potatoes, and soft vegetables.
What Should I Avoid While Recovering from Dental Implant Surgery?
Some habits can be detrimental to the success of your dental implants. Some tips for keeping your healing on schedule include:
Forego intense exercise
Exercise is important to a healthy body, but pushing yourself too hard after surgery can worsen bleeding and swelling. Take it easy for a few days after receiving dental implants.
Skip hot foods and drinks
The numbing effects of painkillers and anesthetics can reduce your sensitivity to heat. This means that you should avoid hot foods and beverages while taking them, as they can potentially cause burns without you noticing.
Quit smoking
Tobacco use is the most common reason for dental implant failure. Inhaling smoke interferes with the healing process by causing the gums to harden and restricting blood flow to the soft tissues of the mouth while also making you more vulnerable to infections. It’s recommended that implant patients quit smoking until the implants are completely healed a few months later, so the recovery period is a great time to kick the habit entirely.
Receiving dental implants is a positive step for your oral health and a big investment in time and effort. Taking proper care of your implants while they are healing can set them on their way to serving you for a lifetime.
About the Practice
South Florida Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery provides advanced surgical dental care with the five-star service patients deserve. Led by an experienced team of five oral surgeons, the staff is dedicated to delivering the best implant dentistry available from three locations at Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach, FL. Areas of expertise include dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions, and general oral surgery procedures. For more information on recovering from receiving dental implants, contact the office online.