Many people consider dental implants to be the best way to refurbish your grin after tooth loss. They’re the only type of restoration that’s embedded directly into your jawbone for added strength and resilience.
Because of this, these artificial teeth come with an incredibly high success rate of 95%. However, it’s still possible for your implants to fail, especially immediately following your procedure. Continue reading to learn 4 things to avoid after your surgery that can help keep your smile happy and healthy!
#1: Drinking with a Straw
Once your implant is placed, a blood clot must form over the site to protect the underlying nerves and bone tissue from potential infection. Many post-op instructions revolve around not damaging or dislodging it. For instance, after your appointment, you will need plenty of water to stay hydrated and boost your immune system. That said, it would be best to drink from your glass directly rather than through a straw because the force of suction can pull your blood clot out of place.
#2: Strenuous Activities
It’s also usually recommended that you rest for a few days once your implant has been placed to allow your mouth time to heal. Any exercise or physical activities that elevate your blood pressure or heart rate can dislodge your blood clot, so do your best to take it easy. In the meantime, you might need a trusted friend or family member to help with tasks like walking the dog or lifting heavy groceries.
#3: Overly Hard or Hot Foods
You’ll want to watch what you eat for a few days following your procedure to avoid harming your blood clot or irritating your already tender teeth and gums. Consuming anything super-hot can injure the blood clot essential for recovery. Furthermore, hard foods can also cause some aches and inflammation.
To prevent this, try to stick to milder, soft foods like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream, and pudding. You might also find it helpful to chew on the opposite side of your mouth from your implant until you feel more comfortable.
#4: Smoking Cigarettes
Those who regularly smoke cigarettes, vape, or chew tobacco are more likely to have issues with their dental implants. Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is a vasoconstrictor. That means it narrows your blood vessels, depriving them of oxygen and limiting their flow. As a result, your body can’t deliver essential nutrients to your mouth to help fight off infection. This can cause your restoration to fail, even years after its successful placement and recovery.
Your dentist may provide additional instructions to follow post-op to keep your implant happy and healthy in the long run!
About the Practice
At South Shore Dental Care, you and your whole family benefit from two dentist who work together to offer a full array of services conveniently under one roof. Drs. Dory and Khalida Stutman have 30+ years of combined experience helping people of all ages enhance their lives by improving their oral health. They have the specialized training and state-of-the-art equipment to be by your side for every step of the dental implant process, including the surgical placement. You can request a consultation on the website or by calling (516) 798-3808.