Had a couple dental implants put in last week, and honestly, it's been a bit of a drag. Dentist gave me the usual spiel about avoiding alcohol for a while, but didn't really specify how long "a while" is. I mean, I get it—alcohol can mess with healing and all that, but um...it's been a stressful week, you know? 😅
Anyway, here's what I've been doing so far: first few days, zero alcohol, just water and soft foods. Then around day 5, I had a small glass of wine with dinner, sipped slowly, rinsed my mouth gently afterward. No issues so far, but I'm still being cautious. Figured I'd gradually ease back into it, maybe wait another week before having anything stronger or more than one drink.
Curious if anyone else has gone through this and has a better timeline or tips on how to safely reintroduce alcohol without messing up the healing process.
My daughter had implants done last year, and we were told about two weeks alcohol-free was ideal. She waited about 10 days before having a beer, took it slow, and had no issues. Sounds like you're being careful already, so I'd say just listen to your body—if something feels off, ease back again. Good luck with the healing...it gets easier!
Yeah, two weeks is usually the standard recommendation we give patients at our practice too, mostly because alcohol can slow down healing and increase the risk of inflammation or infection. But honestly, everyone's a bit different. I've had patients who waited a full two weeks and still felt some discomfort, and others who had a glass of wine around day 8 or 9 with no trouble at all.
The key really is moderation and paying close attention to how your body's reacting—like you mentioned. It's good your daughter eased into it gently with just a beer. I usually suggest avoiding stronger drinks like spirits or cocktails at first, since they're harsher and can irritate sensitive tissues. Beer or wine tends to be a safer bet initially.
Anyway, sounds like you've got the right idea already...just keep taking it easy and stay mindful of how things feel as you go. Healing does get easier with each passing day, so hang in there!
