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Dental implants are well worth the process it takes to permanently restore your tooth’s missing root and crown. However, some people might be hesitant to get dental implants because the procedure and healing process sounds daunting. Read on in this blog from Palm Harbor dentists at Bow Tie Dentist to find out what the healing process following implant surgery is like.
Control Bleeding
After implanting the titanium post into your jawbone, you will feel sore and tender at the implant site and bleeding is normal following oral surgery. Gauze will be placed at the implant site immediately following surgery to stop bleeding and encourage the formation of a blood clot.
Bite down on the gauze for about 30 to 60 minutes and change them as needed. Minimal bleeding in the first 24 to 48 hours is normal but it should resolve after this point and if bleeding is excessive, you should contact your dentist.
An alternative to dampened gauze is to use a wet caffeinated tea bag that contains tannic acid to constrict blood vessels and encourage blood clotting.
Relieve Swelling and Pain
While swelling does not peak until 2 to 3 days after surgery, you should be using a cold compress in the first 24 hours to relieve swelling. Apply a cold pack to the area for about 15 minutes on and off. Icing after the first 24 hours will have minimal effect on reducing swelling.
You should also keep your head elevated to reduce swelling and pain. You may feel discomfort and pain for the first 3 to 5 days. Take anti-inflammatory pain medication as needed to relieve discomfort. The first day of implant surgery should be spent resting.
What to Avoid
The most restrictive period of your recovery will occur in the first 24 hours. You should not engage in strenuous activity, drink any alcohol, consume hot liquids, eat foods that involve a lot of chewing, vigorously rinse your mouth, spit, or engage in any form of suction such as drinking through straws.
The first 48 hours will be spent consuming mostly liquid calories like broth and meal replacement shakes, or soft foods like pudding or yogurt that don’t involve much chewing.
After that, you can eat other soft foods like pasta and mashed potatoes but hard, crunchy, sticky, and tough foods must be avoided for at least the first week. Don’t chew on the side of your mouth with the implant. Wait for 2 to 3 days before returning to exercise.
How to Encourage Healing
After the first 24 hours, you can rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution that will clear out bacteria and food particles from your mouth but especially from the implant site. You should rinse with this solution about 3 times per day or as instructed by your dentist.
After the first day, you can return to your regular oral hygiene routine but will need to avoid brushing or flossing at the implant site. It’s important to avoid disturbing the implant, especially in the first 1 to 2 weeks.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and focus on getting enough nutrients, especially in the first few days when you are consuming mostly liquids. Stick to soft foods for 1 to 2 weeks before reintroducing harder foods.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today!
The recovery process for healing following a dental implant procedure is the most restrictive in the first 24 to 48 hours, but after this point, it’s straightforward. Recovering from any oral surgery will involve rest, dietary restrictions, and some discomfort.
However, once you have healed, you will be left with a stable tooth replacement that can last you for life and gives you the freedom to eat whatever you want. Contact us at Bow Tie Dentist to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Saimon Ramos and find out if they’re right for you.
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