If you’re looking for a reliable way to replace one or more missing teeth, you might be a good candidate for dental implants. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, these restorations include a titanium support rod that’s embedded directly into your jawbone. This allows them to function more like natural teeth than the alternatives.
However, you must care for your implants correctly after your procedure to avoid potential complications. Continue reading to learn about 3 habits to avoid to preserve your recently upgraded grin!
Habit #1: Skipping Your Dental Hygiene Routine
Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate the surgical site and cause issues, like an infection, that can eventually contribute to implant failure. Regularly removing leftover food, germs, and other debris is an effective way to safeguard your smile following your appointment.
But you might have to wait a day or two to resume brushing and flossing as usual. Your mouth needs some time to form a blood clot for your connective tissues to recover, and you might damage or dislodge it with your twice-daily regimen. It’s often recommended that patients rinse gently with salt water the day after their procedure, then resume their regular routine when they’ve recovered sufficiently.
Habit #2: Smoking
Did you know that cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products significantly increase the risk of developing oral issues, like decay, disease, and even cancer? These products contain nicotine, which restricts your blood flow and oxygen levels. As a result, your body can’t deliver essential nutrients to your teeth and gums to heal after surgery.
Unfortunately, smoking also suppresses your immune system, leaving you much more vulnerable to infections, like peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure. It’s often recommended that patients avoid smoking for two to three months following their procedure, and quitting permanently is an effective way to safeguard your smile.
Habit #3: Eating Tough Foods
One of the many advantages of choosing these restorations is that they require fewer dietary restrictions. Once your jawbone has fused with the biocompatible pole, it’s firmly rooted enough that you can enjoy most of your favorite foods without worrying it might get hurt.
With that said, you can expect to experience mild to moderate soreness and swelling for a few days to about a week after surgery. You might trigger additional aches or inflammation if you indulge in foods that are too hard, crunchy, spicy, or hot. It’s usually best to stick with soft foods for a few days, like scrambled eggs, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and yogurt.
Steering clear of these three activities can help you avoid potential complications during dental implant recovery!
About the Practice
Patients at Capron Park Dental benefit from a team of dentists eager to help families in Attleboro improve their lives by enhancing their smiles. They collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs under one roof, including dental implants. Their expertise is combined with state-of-the-art equipment to perform each step of the process, including oral surgery, in the office. If you need to replace missing teeth or are concerned about implant failure, you can request an appointment on the website or call (508) 222-5950.
