There is nothing more exciting than preparing to go on a trip to somewhere new. Whether it’s a different state you’ve yet to visit or a country that has been on your bucket list for years, spending time away from the hustle and bustle of life can be a reinvigorating experience.
Of course, having a healthy, durable, and beautiful smile can make this time away more enjoyable, so receiving dental implants to replace your missing teeth can be a worthwhile decision. But how long will you need to wait to travel after your new prosthetics are put in place? Read on to discover how much time you’ll need before taking off on your exciting journey.
What Are the Guidelines for Traveling After Receiving Dental Implants?
Each person will heal differently after having their dental implants put into place. However, it’s not uncommon for patients who receive only one post to travel 1-2 days after their procedure. Those who receive multiple implants are encouraged to spend extra time at home healing before leaving on any kind of trip.
Complete healing is essential to ensure that your dental implants do not fail, so if you’re concerned about whether to travel immediately following your oral surgery, talk to your dentist or push your trip out a few days or weeks. This will allow you to get the rest you need and feel more confident and comfortable when it’s time to get on a plane or in a car.
What Tips Are Helpful When Traveling with New Dental Implants?
Although there is some concern about pressurized cabins when flying, it may or may not be a problem. The important thing to remember is that you will want an aisle seat so that you can easily access the bathroom to change your gauze and rinse with salt water every few hours.
Additional tips to remember when traveling with newly placed dental implants include:
- You’ll find it helpful to keep pain medication in your carry-on bag and take it during your flight to avoid additional discomfort.
- Bring plenty of clean gauze to apply pressure to the surgical sites and minimize bleeding over time.
- Do not snack on crunchy, hard foods during this time. Instead, bring cold, soft items onto the plane or in the car.
- Ask a flight attendant for some ice so that you can place it in a small bag and use it like a cold compress on your cheek.
- Try to rest as much as you can while in a car (if you’re a passenger, of course) or on a plane.
You don’t have to let your new smile keep you from traveling and taking in the sites of a new location. Just make sure to listen (and follow) your dentist’s suggestions so your implants have the best chance of success.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Aziz is a trusted dentist in Frederick with more than a decade of proven experience helping patients take back their oral health. With a dental degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and advanced training in various specialties, he and the team at My Frederick Dentist remain committed to rebuilding incomplete smiles with high-quality dental implants. If you are without one or more teeth and need help to enjoy a complete, beautiful smile again, visit our website or call (301) 698-9552.