By: Patricia David
If you are a workout enthusiast, going for days without exercising might not sit right in your mind. You might have heard this dentist’s opinion that one should avoid working out after going through dental work or surgery. But how long should I take before I resume working out? Typically, the amount of time you take off from the gym highly depends on the type of surgery or dental work you have undergone. Nevertheless, most dental treatments will require at least 24 to 48 hours to give room for recovery.
Why Should You Avoid Exercising After Dental Work or Surgery?
To begin with, it is essential to note that not all dental work requires a break from working out. For instance, minor procedures like teeth cleaning or dental filling will not prevent you from going to the gym. However, more complex procedures require time to heal and might even result in some complications. This is usually because exercising elevates blood pressure, leading to a dry socket and excessive or unwanted bleeding. A dry socket involves a condition where blood clots form post-extraction bursts.
The most prevalent oral procedures that need resting include the following:
- Full mouth reconstruction
- Dental implant surgery
- Bone grafts
- Tooth extractions
Seeing a professional dentist from a reputable hospital allows you to get post-procedure recommendations, such as how many days you need to take off your exercise activities. You must follow the advice you get from your dentist carefully to avoid getting complications after the procedure.
When Should You Resume Your Exercising Routine?
Health experts will advise you to take it slow to get everything right. Generally, you can resume your workout schedule at around day 4. However, different people will react to treatments differently; thus, you must observe and listen to your body. Some bodies will take less time to recover, while others will take longer to heal and return to normal.
Further, monitoring your body closely and checking how it responds to the exercises is best. Also, start with the simple exercises and progress upon more recovery. Some of the warning signs to look out for include the following:
- Feeling dental pain
- Experiencing a fever
- Bleeding at the surgery or extraction site
- Trouble swallowing or chewing
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Swelling around the jaws
- White or green discharge
- Red and irritating tissue around the dental work area
Remember, the healing process is personal to each individual; therefore, you must pay attention and give yourself enough time to heal. Contact your dental team immediately if you notice any abnormal changes after the dental work. This way, you can help prevent major complications that can cause permanent damage or be expensive to treat.
While it can be tempting to return to the gym before fully recovering, you should always avoid it. This is because it can put your health at risk and even slow down the recovery process. Take time to heal and get back to working out when the body can fully coordinate.
