Dental implant surgery is an effective way of treating missing or damaged teeth, helping to give you your complete smile back. If you’re thinking about having dental implants fitted, it’s always good to know what to expect, both from the dental surgery itself and from the recovery process afterward.

This blog will tell you everything you need to know about dental implant surgery recovery.

Guidelines to follow during recovery

If you have any bleeding after your surgery, then you should bite down gently on some gauze to control this. Oral hygiene is especially important in the days after your surgery. You should avoid brushing too hard, especially on the day of the surgery. Brush gently, taking extra care around the surgical site.

After 24 hours have passed, you should begin rinsing your mouth with salt water 2-3 times a day. This, along with any antibiotics that have been prescribed to you, will significantly reduce the risk of infection. You should also start taking pain management medication to reduce pain and discomfort once your anesthetic has worn off after surgery. You can also apply ice, wrapped in a thin cloth, to your face around the mouth to reduce pain and swelling.

Things to avoid

If you are a smoker, we strongly recommend that you do not smoke while you are recovering from dental implant surgery. Smoking can slow down the healing process and lead to increased pain and discomfort around the sites of your implants, as well as increasing their risk of failing. Exercise can also increase your discomfort and lead to swelling, so you should try to avoid strenuous activity for the next three or four days.

You should also avoid eating hard or tough foods. You may need to stick to liquid and pureed foods for the first couple of days. Drinking alcohol should be avoided, though, and so should drinking liquids through a straw.

How long will recovery take?

Full recovery from dental implant surgery typically takes between two to six months. The more closely you follow these guidelines and any given to you by your dentist, the quicker your recovery time should be. Recovery time will also vary depending on the number of dental implants fitted.

For more advice on recovering from dental implant surgery or to book a consultation regarding implants, you can contact us today. We serve patients around Clemmons, Lewisville, Mocksville, Winston Salem, Advance, and Bermuda Run.