Once your dental implants have been surgically placed in your jaw, you will be given instructions for taking care of your mouth while it is recovering. These instructions will also include a number of things that you need to avoid doing if you want the recovery process to go as smoothly as possible. If you’re currently preparing for dental implant surgery, now is a good time to take note of the following 4 things that you shouldn’t do after the procedure.
1. Smoking
Tobacco has a detrimental effect on the mouth’s ability to heal. In the worst-case scenario, it could even stop osseointegration from taking place, meaning the implant posts never form a lasting bond with the jawbone. Thus, many dentists recommend not smoking or using any other type of tobacco product for at least three months following dental implant surgery.
2. Strenuous Exercise
It’s important to take it easy for a while after dental implants have been placed. Any type of strenuous physical activity, such as heavy lifting or jogging, could increase the flow of blood, which can cause the dental implant site to bleed. It’s generally best to refrain from intense exercise for at least a week following the initial dental implant procedure.
3. Eating Certain Foods
While you’re recovering from dental implant surgery, you will need to stay away from certain kinds of foods. In particular, you shouldn’t eat anything hard or crunchy; your diet should consist of soft and liquid foods until your mouth has sufficiently healed. It’s also best to avoid hot or spicy foods, as they can potentially irritate the tissues at the implant site.
4. Drinking with a Straw
One of the most important steps of recovering from dental implant surgery is to protect the blood clot that forms at the dental implant site; if it becomes dislodged, it can lead to a painful dry socket. Drinking through a straw can easily disturb the blood clot due to the suction force involved. It’s therefore safer to drink all beverages directly out of the glass instead of through a straw while your mouth is still healing.
Make sure you’re exercising the utmost caution to avoid doing anything that could cause problems for your dental implants while your mouth is still healing. It will ultimately be worth it once you’re able to enjoy all the benefits that come with your sturdy, reliable new smile.
About the Practice
At Temple Choice Dental, we have multiple dental experts who are dedicated to helping patients get the care they need to enjoy confident, healthy, fully functional smiles. We’re able to place dental implants in-house, so there’s no need to drive across town to see a separate specialist for the procedure. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (254) 727-7144.