Healing from Oral Surgery Over the Holidays

When it comes to dental implants and other oral surgeries, many patients elect to schedule them over the holidays, or when they’d miss the least amount of work. While the holidays are an excellent chance to find some down time, they are also filled with fun traditions and family activities. At 1899 Dental Implants, we help our patients understand the ways that they can still enjoy the holidays while also prioritizing their healing from dental implant surgery.

Take a Relaxed and “Softer” Approach to Holiday Traditions

The holidays can be packed with to-dos, from company parties and family dinners to gift-giving and more. If you’re getting oral surgery, however, you’ll need to be okay with turning down some of these obligations so that you can fully enjoy the ones that you commit to. Build in rest time. For some patients, this can be simply modifying their holiday traditions, such as online shopping instead of a long “Black Friday” outing or watching Netflix on the couch with family instead of going the movie theaters.

Not only should you go gentle on your body, but be extra gentle with your mouth too. Another way you’ll have to adjust your holiday plans is by eating softer foods. Chewy, hard and sticky foods are off limits after dental implant surgery. However, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid all of your holiday favorites! Instead of pecan pie or candy canes, feel free to load up on mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams and pumpkin pie at your favorite meal of the year.

Last but not least, make a priority to drink water. Hydration is crucial after implant surgery. Sadly, many patients have trouble drinking enough water during the colder months. Even though you may not feel dehydrated or get hot and sweaty during the winter holidays, water is especially important to your oral surgery healing. Water helps rinse food particles from our teeth and carries essential nutrients and oxygen to our cells.

For more tips on how to recover smoothly after dental implant surgery, call 1899 Dental Implant in Elk Grove.