How Can I Reduce Discomfort after Dental Implant Surgery?

Tooth loss can make once-simple tasks like chewing and speaking difficult. To restore oral function, our office offers an advanced tooth replacement option: dental implants.

Discomfort is a common side effect of dental implant surgery. Following the placement of one or more dental implants at our Boston, MA, dental practice, you will be given medications and advice on how to manage discomfort. Following the advice in this blog post will ensure that your recovery is quick and minimally discomforting.

Tips for Reducing Post-surgery Discomfort

The first signs of post-surgical discomfort will set in as the local anesthesia used during surgery wears off. Your first priority should be to take your medication (either prescription or over-the-counter) as directed. Waiting too long to begin taking pain medication can lead to avoidable discomfort. We’ve included these additional pain-management tips.

Stick to Soft Foods

During the first few days after surgery at our Boston dental facility, your healing incisions will be sensitive. To avoid aggravating or damaging your incisions, try to avoid hard or crunchy foods. Liquid or soft foods like gelatin, ice cream, soup, applesauce, and pudding are your safest bet for the first two days following surgery.

More solid foods like mashed potatoes, eggs, pasta, and pancakes can be added on the third day. Most patients are able to resume their normal diet by the first week after surgery. Chips, nuts, and popcorn should be avoided until your gums are fully healed.

Cut Out Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking and alcohol can impede healing. Both increase your risk of implant failure, especially during the first week of recovery. Alcohol can impede blog clotting, which can lead to painful complications. Since alcohol also interferes with many types of pain medication, your best bet is to abstain from adult beverages until your doctor advises otherwise.

Follow Your Medication Guidelines Exactly

Your prescription or over-the-counter pain medications will come with specific instructions on how frequently to take the pills. Most likely, your medications will be Aspirin-free, since Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding.

Brush Gently

Proper oral hygiene following surgery is important. Follow your recovery guidelines for details. Most patients are advised to not brush their teeth for the first 24 hours after surgery. This is one reason why thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth before surgery is a good idea. Gently rinsing your mouth with salt water is a safe way to remove food particles. When you do resume brushing, be extra gentle when cleaning the surgical site.

Notify Our Office about Sudden Pain

At any point during your recovery, let us know if you experience the sudden onset of pain. Any spike in discomfort may be a sign of a complication related to surgery. Once you call our office, a member of our dental team can let you know if your symptoms require immediate treatment.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today

By following the advice in this blog post, you can avoid unnecessary discomfort. You will be provided with the right medications to manage your discomfort following surgery. Most of our patients report that any discomfort after surgery is tolerable.

Dental implants restore health and beauty to your smile following tooth loss. To learn how the team of Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group can restore your smile, please contact our office online or call (617) 582-2478.