If you’ve chosen dental implants to replace your lost teeth permanently, you’ve made a wise decision. The first step to completing your smile involves dental implant surgery in Irving, which means you’ll have a bit of a recovery ahead of you. However, it’s time well spent to enjoy a solution that can last for decades. You don’t want to do anything that might compromise the success of your new smile. Here are 5 things you should NOT do while you are recovering.
1. Don’t Smoke
Smoking can be a hard habit to break, but don’t light up while your mouth heals. The long-term success of your smile relies on your jawbone fusing to the implant posts through a process called osseointegration. Smoking affects your body’s healing process, increasing your risk of failed osseointegration and infections.
2. Don’t Rinse Vigorously
You must keep your mouth clean while it heals, but don’t rinse vigorously for at least 48 hours after brushing your teeth. Excessive rinsing can disrupt the implant sites, causing them to bleed. Instead, your dentist will advise you to gently swish mouthrinse around in your mouth, and let it flow out into the sink.
3. Don’t Eat Hard, Hot, or Spicy Foods
You’ll need to maintain a healthy diet to support your body’s natural healing process, but you’ll have to avoid hard, hot, or spicy foods. Pressure from biting and chewing can influence osseointegration negatively. It’s better to stick to softer foods until cleared by your dentist, like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or eggs. After your dentist gives the go-ahead to resume your normal diet, chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the implant posts.
4. Don’t Drink Through a Straw
Your mouth will be sore for a few days. Using a straw to drink may seem logical; however, you are going to want to skip it. Suction can dislodge the blood clots forming over the surgical sites. If they are disrupted too soon, it can cause a painful condition called dry socket. Your implant dentist will also recommend skipping carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Instead, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
5. Don’t Exercise
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to hit the gym for a few days. Although you can resume your normal activities the day after your surgery, strenuous exercise will increase blood circulation, which can cause your mouth to bleed. Your dentist will let you know when it’s ok to exercise.
Dental implants require a lot of time and commitment. Don’t let simple mistakes compromise your new smile. After a brief recovery, you’ll be one step closer to enjoying the next best thing to your real teeth.
About Dr. Rafiq Hirji
Dr. Hirji earned his dental degree at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry before pursuing continuing education in advanced studies, like dental implants and sedation dentistry. If you are ready to replace your missing teeth, contact our office today to see if dental implants are right for you.