Dental implant surgery is not considered a major operation. The procedure replaces your tooth roots, missing teeth, or damaged teeth with either artificial teeth or metal posts depending on your issue.
For some, this is a single surgery and for others it requires multiple surgeries. Whether your procedure is relatively minor or a little more intense, you need to be prepared to recover properly from the procedure.
One of the biggest reasons why dental implant surgery recovery is very important is that bone will heal around the implant.
You are likely to find yourself back on your feet in just a day if your surgery was for a single implant. You have to be conscious of the fact that your bone is healing around the implant. The bone growth can take months and in that time, you have to be conscious of the process.
Many implants, like all an All on Four procedure might take up to a week for full recovery.
If you are an avid runner or you frequently spend mornings at the gym, you will need to wait until your body recovers before you return to exercise. For someone who is typically active, the waiting period can be frustrating.
Despite this, it’s imperative that you properly care for your implants after surgery. If you don’t you risk complications that will only lengthen your downtime.
For proper care for your dental implants post-surgery, there are certain steps you must follow to minimize discomfort. For example, it is important not to disturb the wound. Avoid spitting, rinsing or touching the area were the surgery was performed.
What a Patient Should Know After Surgery
If you follow the instructions for proper care post-surgery you can return to your active lifestyle faster. Keep the following points in mind during your recovery.
- If you examine the wound in the mirror, you may see a metal post or just stitches (both are normal).
- If you feel some bleeding or see red color in your saliva, it is usually normal for the next 24 hours. If you feel like the bleeding is excessive, place a bit of folded gauze on the area and monitor the wound for the next 2 hours. If the bleeding continues to be profuse, contact your dentist or visit your closest ER.
- Swelling, bruising, and pain may be present also, it is normal after surgery; to help the swelling process just apply a bag of ice in the outside area of the dental procedure. You can do it for the first 12 to 24 hours.
- To avoid pain at the implantation site, you should start taking the prescription right after surgery, and before you start feeling that the local anesthetic is wearing off.
- For a good healing process a good oral hygiene is recommended. Please be gentle when brushing close to the surgical areas but not on the surgical areas for at least a week to two. Instead, your doctor will prescribed a medicated rinse.
The bottom line is that you will experience discomfort after surgery. Your mouth is more vulnerable during this time as it heals and new bone grows in. It’s important to avoid unnecessary stress or injury to the area.
All About Exercising After Dental Surgery
Some of our patients are very active, they love working out and spending a lot of time exercising. We completely understand, however, it is recommended to keep physical activities to a minimum of 1 week following the dental surgery specially if multiple implants were performed. This length of time depends upon your procedure and how your body has responded so far. After that short period of rest and relax you can start going back to your regular workout routine.
When you restart your chosen activities you have to be conscious of your healing process. Jumping back into exercise too soon can cause the implant to be rejected from the site. Avoid situations where you could put undue stress or even risk injury or impact to the area.
Even running and jogging can cause an increase in your pain. This is due to the increased blood flow to the area, which can cause more problems with the surgical site.
If you’re unsure of when is the right time to begin exercising again, you should always ask your dentist. Each patient’s situation is very different. Your healing process may run smoothly and allow you to return to your normal activity level in a few days. Another person could have complications that require them to wait weeks before exercise.
You always need to stay mindful of your body and the implant site. Listen to the warning signs that your body gives you to determine whether or not it’s too soon for exercise.
When you do return to exercising regularly, you need to be prepared. There are certain activities which can cause complications even after you wait the recommended amount of time.
If, when practicing your favorite sport, throbbing or bleeding occurs you must stop and discontinue exercising. Bending, lifting or strenuous activity may cause you have an increase in bleeding, swelling and pain.
You must be aware that some sports or activities are more intense than others, so it might take longer for a patient to go back to their normal routine after surgery.
What about Before Dental Surgery?
The day before the procedure is done, the patient can follow their normal routine. Eat normal, exercise, drink water, etc. It is also important to start taking the antibiotic the day before if prescribed.
On the day of the dental implant procedure the patient should eat a hearty, healthy breakfast or lunch depending at what time the surgery will be performed.
For more information please contact Dr. Mauricio Hervas at Implantation Dental Center 954.476.0770 and visit our website www.implantationdentalcenter.com.
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Hello, we can only offer specific dental advice to patients of our office. If you’re an established patient, please contact our office and Dr. Hervas will be happy to review your plan to go back to physical activity with you.