Are you about to undergo dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth? Once your mouth is fully healed and your restoration is placed, you can expect to not only smile with confidence again, but enjoy your favorite foods without any issues! Of course, you’ll need to make sure you give your aftercare the attention it needs following your surgery. This includes not just getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking your prescriptions as instructed by the oral surgeon, but it also means avoiding these five common mistakes patients make after treatment.
Smoking or Using Tobacco
After your dental implants are placed, the bone and soft tissue surrounding them need time to heal and integrate. If you smoke or use tobacco of any kind during this process, it can negatively impact your healing and even cause the implant to fail completely. Think of dental implant treatment as your opportunity to quit using tobacco period – your oral health will be significantly better as a result. If you have difficulty quitting on your own, let the oral surgeon know.
Spitting or Rinsing Your Mouth Excessively
While you may be recommended a prescription oral rinse following your surgery, you should avoid rinsing your mouth too vigorously or spitting with force. This can not only disturb the implant site and increase bleeding, but it could even cause the implant to come out because it hasn’t properly fused yet with your bone tissue. Gently swish the mouthwash by tilting your head from side to side, rather than shaking it. Let it gently flow out of your mouth into the sink when you’re done rinsing.
Intense Exercise or Strenuous Labor
Exercise and hard labor can increase blood flow, which then leads to bleeding in your surgical site. Take it easy for the next two to three days and use that time to rest instead. If your job relies on hard labor, set aside time off to recover.
Eating Hard or Hot Foods
After dental implant placement, you’ll need to eat liquid and soft foods for the next several days. On top of avoiding very hard or crunchy foods, do your best to avoid anything hot or spicy as they can irritate your implant site. Try to eat on the opposite side of your mouth as well so you can heal as much as possible without any interference.
Drink Beverages With a Straw
Using a straw creates suction inside the mouth which can potentially dislodge the blood clot that’s newly formed over your implant site. If this clot becomes dislodged, it can lead to a painful condition known as dry socket. Not only should you avoid using a straw for the next several days after surgery, but you should skip carbonated beverages that can also irritate your gum tissue.
Dental implant surgery doesn’t have to be a difficult process when you know how to prepare for recovery. Keep these tips in mind during your aftercare and you’ll be on your way to smiling confidently again in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Steve Yusupov has not only been practicing as an oral surgeon for nearly a decade, but holds subspecialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Over the years, he’s completed training in extensive facial trauma management, maxillofacial pathology, and many other areas within the field of oral surgery. He’s prepared to make your experience as comfortable as possible, no matter how severe your tooth loss may be, so give his office a call to schedule a consultation today!