A dental implant can fix one or more missing teeth, restoring your attractive smile. It recreates the complete tooth down to the root, setting it apart from conventional dental prosthetics. You will need oral surgery to implant a post in your jawbone to sustain the restoration. With the proper maintenance, your new smile can last a lifetime, making it a worthwhile long-term investment. Nothing that can jeopardize the success of your surgery is what you want. Here are five things you should avoid doing following dental implant surgery.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. Over time, the post fuses with your natural bone and replaces the root of a missing tooth or teeth. Once integrated into your jawbone, crowns or bridges can be secured to implants, providing a more natural look than traditional dentures alone.
What Should You Avoid After Getting Dental Implant Surgery?
No More Smoking
Cigarettes and tobacco products contain harmful chemicals that can cause infection in the surgical area and affect healing. Tobacco use can compromise the blood supply to your implant, increasing the risk of failure. Smoking also increases your chances of developing gum disease and infections. It is best to quit smoking before your surgery, but if this is not possible, you should avoid it for at least one week after your procedure.
Do Not Eat Solid Or Hot Food Items
You should abstain from solid foods until after your implant has been set in place and you have healed completely, which can take 3-6 months. During this time, you should stick to soft, lukewarm foods instead.
Do Not Rinse Aggressively
You should be gentle when cleaning your mouth and teeth after surgery. It is important to rinse your mouth with a low-pressure warm water solution and salt after meals but do not use too much force, or pressure as this can cause problems with your healing process. Aggressive rinsing can put too much pressure on the implant, potentially loosening it.
No Strenuous Physical Exercises
After your implant surgery, you should avoid any physical activities that can pressure the implant or cause bleeding from the surgical area. This includes sports and exercise. Indulging in physical exercises could also lead to post-operative complications, as rigorous physical activities can take a toll on your immune system and reduce its ability to fight infection.
Use A Straw For Drinking
Drinking through a straw can produce an intense suction force that can dislodge the implant before it is fully secured. This can create a low-pressure vacuum in your mouth that interferes with the healing process and weakens the implant’s foundation.
Conclusion
It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions on what to avoid after dental implant surgery to ensure your treatment’s success. If you are looking for low cost dental implants near you or want to know affordable dentures and implant prices, visit the nearest dental office today.
