Do's & Don'ts After Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is the most effective way of replacing missing, diseased or damaged teeth. They are made to look and work just like your natural teeth. Implant teeth are biocompatible and resistant to disease and decay. To ensure that your dental implants last longer, it’s crucial to maintain and care for them as you would normal teeth.

The idea of dental implant surgery can sound daunting, but with the appropriate aftercare, you will be enjoying your restored smile in next to no time. You will need to follow your dentist’s instructions and practice proper oral hygiene at home in addition to your regular checkups. Remember that appropriate recovery is just as crucial as the surgery itself, and it can influence the success of your dental implants.

The do's of dental implant surgery recovery

Follow instructions

Your dentist will give you a few instructions to help you heal and recover as soon as possible. Because your mouth may be too sensitive for conventional oral hygiene at this stage, your dentist may advise you on a specific oral hygiene regime while the implant site is healing . They may also advise you to brush your other teeth as usual while avoiding specific areas.

Get help from a friend or family member

We recommend seeking assistance from a family member or a close friend during your dental implant recovery. For instance, on the first day of your surgery where you’ll need to rest up at home,  it can be beneficial to have someone who can make soft foods for you and help you take your medication that may have been prescribed for you. 

Get plenty of rest

On the day of your treatment, ensure you schedule time to rest. Remember you have had surgery, despite it being an outpatient procedure. It’s important to lie on your back and keep your head supported by pillows while resting to ensure enough blood flow to your head. This will help to decrease swelling in your mouth and face in addition to preventing any excess bleeding.

Eating

During your dental implant recovery, you need to consume soft foods rich in vitamins. It's an excellent time to try out some soft diet recipes, such as soft veggies and soups. Make sure you continue to eat a balanced diet and avoid foods that can raise your cholesterol or blood pressure.

Stick to staples like mashed potatoes, low-sodium soup, and yogurt which contain high vitamin A and C content to speed up recovery.

Keep your mouth clean

Oral hygiene is a key component of successful dental implant recovery. On the second day of your surgery, ensure you rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt at least three times a day.

This is particularly essential to do after eating so that any food particles remaining in your mouth can be gently removed. In most cases, your dentist will advise you to brush and floss twice a day, but you need to be very gentle with your gums.

Take pain medication as prescribed

Though you may still be numb from the local anaesthesia, you may experience some minor discomfort and swelling as it wears off. To remain on top of your pain, ensure you take any pain medication as prescribed by your dentist. Always follow the instructions on your pain relief medicine. 

What can you not do after dental implant surgery?

Avoid strenuous exercise

Everyone requires enough exercise on a regular basis, but you’ll need to take a break after dental implant surgery. For the first few days, avoid strenuous activities like intense running or lifting weights to give your body time to heal. This will also help to avoid further bleeding and swelling. 

Don't consume hot food or beverages

Because of the painkillers and numbing anaesthetics, you may be more prone to mouth burns when consuming hot food and drink while your mouth is numb. We recommend avoiding any hot food and drinks immediately after your dental implant surgery. 

Avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods

Avoid eating crunchy, hard or sticky foods for six to twelve weeks. These foods may harm your gums which can lead to excessive bleeding. 

Don't smoke

After dental implant surgery, smoking of any type disrupts the normal healing process and increases your risks of having an implant failure or infections. If you’re currently a smoker, avoid smoking for as long as possible, at least the whole day of the implant and after your dental operation..

Avoid alcohol

For at least the first 24 hours after your dental implant surgery, we recommend avoiding drinking any alcohol. Not only would this make it more difficult for you to recover, but it also interferes with any antibiotic and pain relief medication that your dentist may prescribe you.

Dental implants aftercare

When it comes to caring for your new dental implants, there’s quite a few things to keep in mind. Recovery following dental implant surgery takes time, and the best thing you can do is to allow the body’s natural healing process to do its work.

It's important to remember that the recovery time for a dental implant operation varies greatly from one patient to another. Your dentist will assess your condition and provide you with a general timeline for recovery. However, the complexity of the surgery, your body's reaction to the implant and how well you care for it will ultimately determine how long it will take for you to recover.

Always make sure you follow your dentist's instructions, and if you encounter any complications, call your dentist immediately. This is the most effective strategy to prevent infection and ensure a healthy and fast recovery.

Explore your dental implant options at Tuart Hill Dental

Contact the friendly team at Tuart Hill Dental on 9349 3006 or make a booking online to discuss your dental implant options.