5 Things You Shouldn’t Do After Dental Implant Surgery

You don’t have to settle for anything less than the best when replacing your missing teeth. Dental implants are a great investment because they can last for over 30 years. The first step to rebuilding your smile is dental implant surgery in Los Angeles. Titanium posts are surgically placed into your jawbone to replicate your roots. Unfortunately, simple mistakes can complicate your recovery. Don’t risk the success of your new smile. Here are 5 things you do NOT want to do after your placement surgery.

1. Do not smoke or use tobacco.

Although it can be difficult to kick the habit, the short-term and long-term success of your investment relies on not smoking. Your jawbone must fuse to your implant posts through a process called osseointegration for your procedure to be successful. Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal and fight infections, placing you at risk of unnecessary complications.

2. Don’t rinse your mouth vigorously.

You must keep your smile clean to avoid infections while the surgical sites heal; however, don’t rinse your mouth vigorously for at least 48 hours. Excessive rinsing can irritate the healing tissue, which can cause bleeding. Instead, gently swish mouthrinse back and forth, and let it flow out over the sink.

3. Don’t eat hard, spicy, or hot foods.

Pressure on the implants during osseointegration can cause them to fail or delay healing. Therefore, you’ll want to skip hard, spicy, or hot foods for a while. Your dentist will recommend eating softer foods until your mouth has healed completely. Although you can’t eat steak right away, you’ll regain 70% of your natural biting force after your jaw has integrated with the posts.

4. Don’t drink through a straw.

Your mouth will be a little sore and a straw may make it easier to drink, but it can lead to a painful condition called dry socket. Suction can dislodge the blood clots forming at the surgical sites. Carbonated beverages can also disrupt the blood clots. It’s better to carefully drink from a glass. Be sure to have plenty of water to stay hydrated while you recover.

5. Don’t exercise.

You won’t be able to go for a run or head to the gym after your placement surgery. Strenuous exercise will increase blood circulation, which can lead to bleeding and pain. Your dentist will monitor your healing progression and let you know when it’s safe to resume your normal exercise routine.

Dental implants can last for a lifetime with the right care. Your implant dentist will discuss everything you need to know to ensure there aren’t any delays or complications while on your journey to a complete, functional smile.

About Dr. Idan Snapir

Dr. Snapir earned his dental degree at UCLA before continuing advanced education in dental implants and full mouth reconstruction. He has the skills and qualifications to perform the entire dental implant process in-house. If you’re ready to replace your lost teeth with dental implants, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.