Helpful Healing: 4 Things to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are a popular method to replace a missing tooth because they provide unique benefits that other restorations don’t. For example, they’re the only option that includes a surgically placed titanium support rod that functions like a root to keep your jaw active and healthy. The procedure is usually highly successful, but it’s important to care for yourself afterward to prevent a potential dental implant failure. Keep reading to learn 4 things to avoid following your surgery.

#1: Using Tobacco

Tobacco contains nicotine, which reduces oxygen levels and blood flow in your body when you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco. That’s bad news for your oral condition because your system can’t deliver essential nutrients to your teeth and gums. To heal after your procedure, your mouth needs to form a blood clot over the incision site.

If you’re a regular smoker, you hinder this process. In addition to risking a dental implant failure, you could also develop cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, or other serious medical conditions. You’ll need to leave cigarettes behind to recover effectively.

#2: Strenuous Exercise

You’ll want to take a break for a few days after your surgery to prevent the blood clot from becoming dislodged. If it breaks away, you could develop a painful complication known as dry socket. That means you need to stay away from activities that can increase blood flow like lifting weights, aerobics, or anything that gets your heart rate up for 2-3 days after your appointment. Feel free to ask family or friends to help with chores like walking the dog or cleaning up around the house so your body can rest.

#3: Hot Foods and Beverages

You should also plan to stick to a diet of soft foods post-op so that you don’t bite down or chew around the implant site. Things like smoothies, yogurt, and soup are all good choices.  Be careful, however, not to consume anything too hot because it can dislodge the blood clot and cause infection. It’s best to pass up hard foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth for a few days for the same reason.

#4: Drinking with a Straw

When you drink through a straw, your mouth forms a suction that creates pressure that can dislodge your blood clot. It’s best to sip from a glass so you don’t accidentally interrupt the recovery process. You may also want to steer clear of sodas or other carbonated beverages that can irritate the gum tissues around the surgical site.

After a few months, you should be healed enough to return to your dentist to have your dental crown placed. Once that’s completed, you’ll have a beautiful new restoration in place of your missing tooth!

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas has been improving his patient’s dental health for more than 30 years. He attended Orange Coast College and Long Beach State before enrolling in the UCLA School of Dentistry. He has since completed additional courses on focused subjects, including dental implants. He provides beautiful, long-lasting results using state-of-the-art technology like digital imaging and impressions. If you’d like an appointment, you’re welcome to request one on the website or call the office at (619) 482-7367.