Are you proud of your new dental implants in Allen? Do you like the new look of your fully restored smile? This tooth replacement option not only provides stability and increased confidence, but it’s the superior method for replacing missing teeth. But do you know how to take proper care of your new restorations immediately after surgery? What about foods? Do you know which ones you should avoid to keep your teeth healthy and lasting longer? Let us help you make the most of your investment by explaining a few ways you can extend the life of your dental implants.
What Can I Expect After Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a lengthy procedure. While it may not sound as if it takes longer because it happens in only a few appointments, there is a span of time (several months) that require you to heal before moving on to the next phase of surgery. However, once it’s complete and your new smile is in place, there are some aftercare instructions you should adhere to in order to successfully heal and begin enjoying your new smile. In the first two weeks after surgery, you can expect:
- Some bleeding to occur – This is completely normal, and once you place pressure on the area, it will begin to lessen. Once you are home, you’ll remove the gauze you bit down on after surgery. If any bleeding continues after removal, simply bite down on moist gauze for an additional 30 minutes. If you continue to bleed afterward, contact your dentist in Allen.
- There will be swelling – To reduce the amount of swelling, you can apply an ice pack or cold compress on the swollen area of your cheeks every 30 minutes. You’ll need to follow the “30 minutes on/30 minutes off” rule. While it won’t stop it altogether, it will control it during the first 24 hours. Also, be sure to elevate your pillow when sleeping during the first two nights.
- Your diet will change – In the first two days after surgery, you’ll only consume liquids (water, ice cream, soup, applesauce). By the third day, you can incorporate foods such as mashed potatoes, eggs, pancakes, etc. After the first week, you can return to eating as normal; however, you’ll want to avoid any hard foods for one full week after your surgery.
- There will be some discomfort – Your dentist in Allen will prescribe pain medication to lessen the discomfort. Make sure you take this as instructed. You’ll also need to drink at least ½ a cup of water or juice when taking your medications. To prevent infection, you’ll need to take your antibiotics, also as instructed.
- To practice good oral hygiene – The day after your surgery, you’ll use the prescribed oral rinse twice daily, being sure to rinse 30 seconds before spitting it out. You can also use warm salt water rinses between 4 and 5 times a day. You’ll need to be gentle while brushing your teeth, especially around the areas of your mouth that had surgery.
- Sleep is a necessity – In the few days after your surgery, rest is crucial for successful healing. After several days, you can resume some level of activity, but you’ll need to avoid heavy exercise in the first week and try to avoid bending, if possible.
What Foods Should I Avoid?
Now that your implants are in place, they will act just like your normal teeth. But, it’s important to remember that you’ve just had surgery, which means, you won’t get to immediately jump back into your original diet the day you come home. Here are some foods you’ll want to avoid if you want to be sure you heal safely and quickly:
- Spicy foods
- Seeds and nuts (sesame, caraway, poppy)
- Acidic foods (tomatoes, lemons, limes, anything citrus)
- Sticky or chewy foods
- Hard and crumbly foods (popcorn, chips, crackers)
- Hot/cold foods
In addition to the above-mentioned foods, you will also need to avoid using a straw in the first week after surgery. Why? Because the suction can hinder your body’s ability to keep blood clots, which are vital at preventing dry sockets.
Trust that after dental implant surgery, the aftercare and list of not-to-eat foods are only temporary. Before you know it, you’ll have a brand new smile that is fully functional and longer lasting than you ever imagined. Follow these tips and rules, and you’ll be well on your way to healing quickly and eating all the foods you love.
About the Author
Dr. Keyvan Kar, DDS, earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Cologne School of Dentistry in Germany. He later went on to achieve his Certificate of Advanced Education in Prosthodontics from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California. Each day, Dr. Kar and his team at Advanced Dental Care of Allen want to help patients achieve beautiful, complete smiles, which is why he offers the superior tooth restoration option – dental implants. To find out how this method of treatment can help you, visit our website or call (214) 260-9911.