What Are Things to Avoid Doing After Dental Implant Surgery?

They are the premier tooth replacement option for many reasons, but you’ll still need to make good choices after your dental implant surgery to ensure the best outcome for your oral health.

You need to be taking all the right precautions to optimize your recovery so your implants can fully heal and strengthen. Read on to learn from your implant dentist in Everett about which things you should be avoiding so you can lower your risk of a dental implant failure.

Drinking with Straws

When you use a straw to drink, you create suction in your mouth and can potentially dislodge the blood clot that has formed over the implant site. This can lead to a condition known as “dry socket” which is very painful. You should also avoid drinking carbonated beverages, as they can irritate the gum tissue around the implant site.

Hard and Hot Foods

After your implant placement surgery, maintain a soft food diet for the first few days afterward. Stay away from hot and spicy foods as well. Try chewing on the opposite side of the mouth as your dental implants. This way, you won’t accidentally interrupt the healing process.

Intense Exercise

Intense physical activity can increase the blood flow and lead to bleeding in the area where your implants were placed. For the first few days after surgery, take it easy. Avoid strenuous exercise and ensure that you are putting plenty of time aside for rest.

Rinsing Vigorously

Don’t rinse your mouth too excessively during the initial recovery period after your surgery. This can disturb the surgical site and cause bleeding. When you are cleaning your teeth, swish with mouthwash and water around your mouth very gently. Do not spit either. Instead, just allow the liquid to flow out of your mouth over the sink.

Using Tobacco Products

Dental implants rely on a process called “osseointegration.” This is when the jawbone develops and grows around the implants. If you’re smoking tobacco, this can affect the healing process.

You should refrain from smoking or using tobacco products for at least a week before and several months after your procedure. Of course, this is also an excellent time for you to give up the bad habit for good if you choose to.

To help your dental implant surgery recovery process go smoothly, definitely avoid the activities and items listed above. This will help you secure the future of your smile upgrade!

About the Author

Dr. Jason Kaopua earned his dental doctorate from Oregon Health & Sciences University. He has completed advanced training in a wide variety of specialty topics to advance his clinical prowess, including sleep apnea, BOTOX, dental implant placement, Invisalign, Lumineers, soft tissue laser treatment, and more. If you are interested in dental implants, Dr. Kaopua can perform the placement at his office location, plus he offers mini dental implants and implant dentures. You can schedule a consultation on his website or by calling (425) 267-3333.