Do you have broken, missing, or rotting teeth? You might want to consider dental implant surgery with your dentist.
Replacement of your teeth with artificial roots and teeth through dental implant surgery can give you the functionality of natural teeth. An artificial root is made of titanium and surgically placed into your jawbone then an artificial tooth is anchored to it. After the treatment, no one will be able to tell the difference between your new teeth and your original ones.
Recovery after this type of procedure is very important. It is crucial that you follow your dentist’s specific instructions as this helps your body get back to its normal self quickly and aids in avoiding complications that could arise.
A dental implants dentist will help guide you through the important recovery phase of your treatment with instructions on what you should avoid after your dental surgery. Here are some of the top things to refrain from to get you prepared ahead of time.
You might want to reach for the aspirin as soon as your dental implant surgery is over and any anesthetic you were given has subsided. The discomfort you may feel can be eased with medication, but you should avoid aspirin since it is a blood thinner and can increase bleeding. Consuming aspirin could cause your body to stop the natural healing process of your blood clotting. Clotting may be slow or unable to occur if your blood is too thinned out.
If you are craving some deliciously crunchy chips or a hearty steak while in recovery from dental implant surgery, think again. Any whole foods need to be avoided. These can interrupt the fusing of the implant to your jawbone by getting in the way of your open wound. You wouldn’t want to go back to the tooth implant clinic and start the dental surgery all over again, would you?
Stay away from having extremely hot or cold food and drinks. Your dental implant surgery will make everything in your mouth more sensitive. You want to avoid burning the insides of your mouth from heat. If you ignore this vital step, not only will you have to deal with discomfort from your oral surgery, but also pain from your scalded mouth.
It’s tempting to drink that cold milkshake with a straw, but this is something that can cause your dental implant surgical site trauma. Drinking through a straw opens you up for the possibility of the straw scraping the implant site or popping out any stitches. Also, suction from a straw can dislodge the clot after your implant surgery. This action could open you up to infection and unnecessary pain.
Limiting any physical activity for a day or two after your dental surgery helps keep you clear of excessive swelling. Swelling is a natural reaction after dental implant surgery however you don’t want to experience it more than normal. Extreme swelling will interrupt your speaking and eating abilities and may be a cause for an emergency dental treatment.
Remember, a tooth implant clinic has all the do’s and don’ts for your recovery after dental implant surgery. Taking care of your mouth is part of the process of a healthy oral cavity.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurshant Grewal - a Registered Dentist on March 31, 2021