Recovery after dental implant surgery
Oral hygiene, care and nutrition rules
If you’re preparing for dental implant surgery, you’ll be surprised to learn that recovery is easier than you think.
Although the procedure is entirely safe and most people have wonderful results, it is normal to be nervous about it. The more you know, the more confident you will feel when you are about to have this procedure.
Feel free to ask your specialist any questions about dental implants. The doctors of the dental center will be happy to provide you with all the information you need so that you can feel comfortable and achieve a gorgeous smile.
Dental implants are the most innovative, high-performance, and long-lasting solution. As long as you have: an experienced implantologist and strictly follow his recommendations, including the instruction on home care – recovery will be easy and without complications.
- Recommendations after surgery
- Rules about food
- Oral hygiene
- Tips
Like any other surgery, living tissues need some time to heal. In addition, the implant needs time to osseointegrate (the process of forming bone tissue around the implant) – from 3 to 6 months.
At Dentus•Dentino, we believe in fully educating each patient about dental health. Part of this education includes information about the recovery process and what to expect after dental implant surgery.
Dental implantology provides you with a set of rules that you must follow after you have had the implant insertion surgery.
In the first days after the implant insertion operation, the following effects may occur:
- pains of medium intensity
- small bleeding
- discomfort, sensitivity in the intervention area
- edema (swelling) or ecchymosis (bruising)
We recommend that you take the following actions in the first few days: - Apply ice packs, 15 minutes at a time, with 20-minute breaks (in the first 3-6 hours after surgery). Compresses will reduce inflammation and pain.
- Take medicines (antibiotics, painkillers) prescribed by the doctor, when the first symptoms of pain appear.
- Avoid sleeping on the side where the dental implant was inserted for the first 3 days. Also, do not touch the operated area, avoid touching the suture with your tongue or fingers.
- Do not exercise (gym, running, lifting weights) for 4 days after surgery.
- For 2 hours after the implantation intervention, the consumption of food and liquids is prohibited.
Nutrition after dental implant insertion surgery
The ability to chew will be temporarily affected, so it is recommended that you stick to a soft food diet for at least 10 to 14 days after the procedure. So what foods can you eat and what is forbidden?
The foods you eat in the days, weeks, and months after surgery can influence your healing and recovery. Eating the right foods and avoiding forbidden foods – maintaining health while preventing possible complications.
It is necessary to adopt a food diet, which includes:
– soft, warm foods (mashed potatoes, soup, broth, protein drinks, smoothies, dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, cream, kefir, and milk) in order not to put pressure on the affected areas
– in the first days, from drinks, consume only plain water
A nutritious and balanced diet is always important, but it’s especially essential when you’re healing after dental implants. Vitamins and minerals play a key role in helping the body recover after surgery. However, it is equally important that the foods you eat are soft enough to not irritate the implant site.
Fortunately, there are plenty of nutritious foods to eat after surgery:
- Vitamin-rich soups and soups to help you stay hydrated while providing nutrients
- Mashed pumpkin, potatoes, and bananas, as well as applesauce, avocado, or hummus – all contain a variety of important vitamins
- Omelets and protein shakes, as protein can help speed up the healing process
Prohibited food
So here’s the not-so-fun part of the process. See a list of foods to avoid during implant recovery. Follow this guide as strictly as possible to avoid any healing complications:
– Hot and spicy foods, can cause irritation, thus slowing down recovery. They could increase the risk of infection. To stay safe, it’s best to eat warm or even room-temperature foods and avoid any strongly spiced, acidic, or spicy foods.
– Hard fruits and vegetables. Raw carrots and apples, although nutritious, are hard to chew so should be avoided. Stick with soft alternatives like bananas, which provide the same nutritional intake.
– Popcorn and other crunchy snacks. Avoid popcorn, nuts, seeds, or any other snack, which can stick to the implant, causing inflammation and discomfort.
– Sticky or hard-to-chew sweets. Stay away from sweets, especially those with caramel. If you want something sweet, choose a fruit protein shake.
– Alcohol, if you are used to enjoying an occasional glass of wine or a cocktail, you will have to avoid it for a while. Alcohol can slow healing and contribute to inflammation.
Oral hygiene
The patient’s oral care habits and general awareness play a huge role in the healing of implants. After the operation, the patient must adopt strict oral hygiene to prevent any complications. The 3 fundamental rules are rinsing, brushing, and flossing. Keeping your teeth clean is crucial at this time.
However, do not clean the teeth for at least 24 hours after the operation, because the place is very sensitive. After 24 hours, practice oral hygiene by gentle brushing. Get a toothbrush with soft bristles and less abrasive toothpaste. Avoid harsh movements while brushing and flossing to avoid complications and for the implants to heal quickly. Do not touch the area where the surgical operation was. Avoid using the mouth irrigator for the first 2-3 weeks.
General advice
Medicines – you must take the prescribed antibiotics/painkillers to prevent infection. 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth with warm salt water 4-5 times a day (preferably after each meal/snack).
Bleeding – this is normal for the first 24 hours after surgery. Use gauze pads to help control and reduce blood flow. Gently bite down on the gauze pad and try to maintain constant pressure, repeating as often as necessary or until the bleeding subsides.
Pain management – shortly after dental implant surgery, the anesthesia will wear off. Take the medicines indicated by the doctor to relieve the intensity of the pain.
Diet – we recommend a diet with soft foods, in no case hot or too cold. It is essential to consume water, for optimal hydration.
Hygiene – for the dental implants to heal properly, the area where the operation was performed should not be brushed with a toothbrush or touched. Clean your teeth, except for the sensitive area where the implant is located.
Smoking – after dental implant surgery, represents an increased risk of infection. We recommend that patients do not smoke for 48 hours after dental implant surgery.
Conclusion
When you make the decision to replace missing teeth with dental implants, you are making an investment that will last a lifetime. Improve your quality of life, and your lifestyle and get a full set of teeth with the most innovative solution – the dental implant.
Dental implants have the power to improve the appearance and provide more confidence. You’ll be able to speak freely, enjoy your favorite foods, and allow yourself to live life without worrying about discomfort or embarrassment when it comes to your smile.
Think of it as an investment you’re making in your overall health. It may mean a little sacrifice along the way, but you can benefit from dental implants if you’re willing to make some changes! With proper care and regular visits to the dental office, implants can be your “friends” for life.
With the qualified doctors at Dentus Dentino, you can get the smile you’ve been dreaming of. Contact us now, to discuss your dental situation and treatment plan, and for more information about our dental center, doctors, price and types of dental implants click here or call us at +373 067 106 070
Don’t forget, health is more precious than anything, so take care of it!
Contacte
- str. Gh. Asachi 4
- str. Decebal 80/1
- +373 67 10 60 70
- +373 79 73 51 39
- info@dentusdentino.md
- L-V 09:00-18:00