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Dental implants have an incredibly high rate of success, but the time when they’re most likely to fail is directly after the procedure. While the jawbone is healing and the dental implant is finding its permanent place in the mouth, there are a few things you might have to abstain from. Here’s what you should avoid in the weeks after your surgery.
Smoking/Vaping
Tobacco and nicotine have many negative effects on oral health, and some of the most prominent ones come to a head when the mouth has to heal. Nicotine affects the quality of blood flow to the extremities, including the mouth. As a result, the blood is less able to carry vital oxygen into the area surrounding the dental implant, making the healing process much more unpredictable. It’s recommended that you quit smoking for two weeks before your surgery and for ninety days after to give the wound time to heal completely.
Intense Exercise
While a lack of blood flow into the mouth can be a problem, too much can also cause issues. A high heart rate can lead to bleeding around the implant site; for that reason, it’s usually recommended to avoid intense workouts for a few days after surgery, until the gums around the implant can heal.
Drinking with a Straw
When you drink from a straw, your mouth creates a lot of suction, putting pressure on the blood clot surrounding your implant. This can lead to a painful condition known as “dry socket.” It’s recommended to avoid drinking beverages with a straw for a few weeks after the procedure.
Using Mouthwash
In the weeks after your dental surgery, it’s usually recommended to clean your implant with an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infection. While rinsing with mouthwash is hardly the most intense experience, swishing it around vigorously can be a bit too much for your implant. When you use mouthwash, be gentle. Instead of spitting, try letting it flow out of your mouth and into the sink
It might sound like a lot of work to take care of your implants after surgery, but the better you stick to the rules, the faster recovery will be. Once you’re in top shape, you’ll be able to enjoy your dental implants for decades to come!
About Our Practice
Utah Implants and Periodontics is a practice owned by specialists, so our patients benefit from our unique expertise in gum disease therapy and dental implant procedures. More than that, we ensure that every patient we see gets individual attention from our specialists and compassionate care from our dental team. Visit us once, and you’ll see why people all over the Salt Lake City area trust us with their oral healthcare. If you have any questions about aftercare for your dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (801) 322-5032.