Having implant surgery is something that creates food and drink restrictions that can put a damper on celebrations and events that may feature prominent items that are generally bad for post-operative care. However, if you have recently been a patient of dental implants, there are some risks involved with alcohol that you should be aware of. Knowing these facts about alcohol and your implant surgery will not only keep you comfortable but will also keep you safe.
How Long Should I Wait Before Drinking Again?
At FastNewSmile® Dental Implant Center, one of the most common questions that we get is how long after surgery can one consume alcoholic beverages. There are many reasons for you not to drink directly after an extraction or implant procedure, but we recommend waiting for at least 48 hours post-surgery before making an official toast. This guidance applies whether you’ve received single dental implants or more advanced implant treatment.
Especially during the first 24 hours post-surgery, you should be resting, relaxing, and allowing your body to form essential blood clots to promote healing—particularly for patients who undergo one-day teeth replacement.
Alcohol Will Interfere with Your Prescribed Medications
One of the most dangerous combinations for a person’s body is the mixing of alcohol and prescription painkillers. Many people mistakenly believe that drinking will promote further numbness and comfort for an aching mouth. However, this action can create dangerous reactions, and we recommend that anyone abstain from alcohol when taking pain medications following implant procedures such as all-on-4 dental implants or all-on-6 dental implants.
Alcohol Creates Further Problems for Your Healing Mouth
Aside from interactions when combined with medications, alcohol can have some negative effects on your post-surgery healing process.
Alcohol Delays The Healing of Your Dental Implants
Consuming alcohol shortly after implant surgery can delay your wound healing. When alcohol enters your bloodstream, it decreases your body’s efforts to produce essential proteins involved in the healing process. Failure to produce these proteins can lead to the breakdown of formed blood clots and could eventually result in implant complications, including issues with bridge implants or implant-supported dentures.
Dehydration Strains Your Healing Body
Alcohol naturally dehydrates your body, and this is a real problem during the healing process because your body needs to remain hydrated while the dental implant acclimates to your gums. This is especially important for implants planned using advanced imaging such as a 3D CT scan.
Not only will alcohol cause strain on an already tired body during healing, but it can also increase discomfort. Alcohol dilates your mouth’s blood vessels and makes the surgical site more sensitive than it should be. This increased sensitivity can be particularly problematic for patients healing from complex procedures like zygomatic and pterygoid dental implants or restorations made with zirconia implants.
Have Questions Before Your Surgery? FastNewSmile Can Help!
At FastNewSmile®, we know that making the choice for dental implants is a big one that will leave you with several questions. We pride ourselves on putting our patients first and are prepared to meet any of your concerns with an expert answer. Cosmetic options such as zirconia veneers may also be discussed as part of a comprehensive smile plan. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out more about dental implant surgery.