When my patients decide to have dental implants placed, they’re often primarily concerned with the surgery itself. However, I always take the time to ensure they understand what to expect afterward. It takes time for implant posts to form a lasting bond with the jawbone, and it’s essential to make sure nothing disrupts this process.
There are several things you will need to do to take care of your mouth while it’s healing after dental implant surgery. But there are also a few things that you should avoid doing during your recovery. Here are 4 key examples.
Don’t Eat Anything That’s Hard or Spicy
Do you enjoy eating spicy foods like beef jerky or hard foods like nuts? You’ll need to stay away from these types of snacks while your mouth is still healing from dental implant placement. Spicy foods can irritate your still-sensitive gums and lead to discomfort. Meanwhile, hard foods could put excessive pressure on the implant posts and stop them from fusing with the jaw.
It’s best to plan on sticking to soft, non-spicy, non-hot foods in the days following your dental implant surgery. That way, you can protect your mouth as well as your implant posts.
Don’t Smoke
Tobacco is one of the last things your body should be exposed to after dental implant surgery. Not only can it increase the chances of a gum infection occurring, but it can interfere with the healing process. It could even prevent the implant posts from properly bonding with the jawbone, leaving them unstable. As such, you should refrain from using cigarettes and other tobacco products for a while after receiving your dental implants.
Don’t Engage in Strenuous Exercise
Intense physical activity can increase your blood flow, which can lead to bleeding at the implant site while it’s trying to heal. You will therefore want to take it easy for at least a few days following your dental implant surgery. You should typically plan on avoiding strenuous exercise for about 7 to 10 days.
Don’t Directly Touch the Implant Site
Your dental implants will generally need around three to six months to bond with the jaw. Until they do, it’s important to avoid directly touching them with your fingers or your tongue. Doing so could inadvertently transfer bacteria to the implant site and lead to complications. You should plan on leaving your implant posts alone while maintaining good oral hygiene habits.
These are just a few of the things you’ll need to avoid doing after dental implant surgery in order to prevent unnecessary complications. You can always count on our team to provide you with tips to ensure that the healing process goes smoothly. As long as you follow your post-op instructions and maintain good habits, you should have no trouble navigating your recovery, bringing you one step closer to successfully rebuilding your smile.
About the Practice
Here at Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group, we strive to exceed our patients’ expectations when it comes to the care we provide. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, affordable dentistry while treating everyone who walks through our doors with respect and empathy. Thanks to our on-site periodontist and prosthodontist, we’re able to expertly place and restore dental implants in-office. If you’re interested in getting dental implants to reclaim a complete smile, you can schedule an appointment at our office by visiting our website, using our online booking tool, or calling (410) 465-3224.